US soccer star Christian Pulisic gave Team USA a 1-0 lead over Iran with a massive goal late in the first half in group stage action on Tuesday.
The Hershey, Pa., scored his first goal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup off a crossing header from full-back Sergino Dest shortly before the 38-minute mark in the first half.
Pulisic paid the price for his heroics, absorbing what appeared to be an inadvertent knee from Iran goalie Alireza Beyranvand in the midsection, perhaps in the groin.
The 24-year-old Pulisic, who plays professionally for Chelsea of the Premier League, was face down in Iran's net for several minutes after the goal, and Team USA briefly played a man down when play finally resumed.
After being helped to the sideline, Pulisic briefly re-entered the game before halftime, but was replaced coming out for the second half. He was later ruled out with a non-specific "abdominal" injury and did not appear in the second half.
With Team USA in a must-win scenario, the potentially momentous goal was widely celebrated by the team's fans on social media.
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