Christian Pulisic’s heroic effort gives US World Cup lead over Iran

Christian Pulisic gave the USMNT an all-important lead against Iran in the 2022 World Cup.

And he wasn’t going to let anything deny him — not even his own health.

In the 38th minute, Weston McKennie found Sergino Dest making a run into the box with a lobbed pass over the top. Dest promptly headed the ball across the goal, where a charging Pulisic met it and finished cooly to put the Americans up 1-0.

Amid the celebrations, however, one thing was missing — Pulisic himself.

The 24-year-old star remained on the ground in pain right in front of goal while holding his midsection. He was treated on the field, and struggled to walk off the field with trainers, clearly in significant pain. He appeared to take a major blow from Iranian goalie Alireza Beiranvand on the play, colliding hard as he sprinted towards the goal.

The USMNT played with 10 men briefly while Pulisic was checked on the sideline. Just a few moments later, however, he re-entered the field and resumed playing.

The USMNT carried their 1-0 lead into the halftime. They need a win to advance to the knockout round.