‘Soccer’s LeBron James’ puts USA in World Cup Round of 16

It was not a long-distance basket, but the goal scored by Christian Pulisic, 24, this Tuesday (29), at Al Thumama stadium, in Doha, also earned three historic points for the United States against Iran.

By scoring the net for the first time in a World Cup, the American number 10 guaranteed the 1-0 victory and the classification of his country for the round of 16. The opponent, now, will be the Netherlands.

As in 2010 and 2014, the USA advances to the knockout stage and keeps alive the dream of at least repeating its best campaign in World Cups, when it took third place in the first edition, in 1930, in Uruguay. And it also helps to digest the frustration of not having qualified for the 2018 World Cup.

This time, the vacancy came with the second place in Group B, with 5 points, 2 less than England. Iran, with 3, and Wales, with 1, are out.

The importance of the goal scored by Pulisic reinforces the Americans’ idolization of him. Since midfielder Landon Donovan left the national team in 2014, the country has longed for a new great idol in football.

There is so much anticipation surrounding the Chelsea player that, among fans and even in the American media, he has earned the nickname “the LeBron James of soccer”.

The basketball star is the ruler with which the talent of an athlete in the country is measured. There is, of course, a certain exaggeration in the comparison between the two, but it gives a dimension of the pressure that the athlete carries.

Before he opened the scoring, the game was tense for the Americans, who needed a win. They finished three times with danger to Alireza Beiranvand’s goal, but ran into good saves by the goalkeeper.

In the fourth attempt, however, the Iranian was unable to prevent Pulisic from deflecting into the net after receiving a headed assist from right-back Sergiño Dest, in the 38th minute.

In the move, the American number 10 collided with the goalkeeper and had to be assisted off the field for a few minutes, but returned to play. During the break, however, he was substituted for Aaronson.

Already in the additions of the initial stage, striker Weah almost expanded, but had a goal annulled for offside after receiving the ball from the back of the defense and finishing it in the goalkeeper’s exit.

The move was reviewed by the VAR (video referee), whose operation in offside situations was analyzed by the Brazilian assistant Neuza Back, 38.

Linked to the FPF (Federação Paulista de Futebol), CBF, Conmebol and FIFA refereeing board, she is one of six women who are, for the first time in history, working in a World Cup.

On Thursday (1), Neuza will perform for the first time on the edge of the lawn. She will be one of the assistants for the match between Costa Rica and Germany, at the Al Bayt stadium, in Al Khor.

The duel will be whistled by the Frenchwoman Stéphanie Frappart, who will also have as an assistant the Mexican Karen Dias.

In the midst of a World Cup often criticized for being held in a country that violates women’s rights, the presence of professional referees on the field has a strong meaning.

The match between the US and Iran also has historical weight. It was the second meeting between the two countries in a World Cup. The first, 24 years ago, took place in France.

At the time, constant conflicts between the political classes of the two countries made the match one of the most politicized in the history of the championship.

Despite recent protests in the Middle Eastern country triggered by the death of a young woman in the custody of the moral police, a friendly atmosphere prevailed in the stands at Al Thumama stadium, quite different from that seen more than two decades ago.

It was also one of the games with the highest participation of fans over the 90 minutes. Both practically did not stop screaming and playing bugles and bass drums throughout the match.

On the field, the players felt the support, especially in the second half, when Iran needed a draw to regain their place. But, despite the good chances created, the US managed to hold on to the victory built in the first half and prevented the Iranians from reaching the knockout stage for the first time, in the country’s sixth attempt.

“The thing I love most about this sport is the ability to bring people together,” said USA goalkeeper Matt Turner, denying that political issues entered the field. “It was a very respectful game between one team and another.”