The USMNT’s star forward was injured scoring the only goal of the game.
After scoring the first World Cup goal of his career, one that gave the U.S. men’s national team the lead in a must-win game against Iran, you’d imagine Christian Pulisic would immediately start celebrating. Instead, he was writhing in pain.
Pulisic ended up having to exit the game at halftime in the final group stage match vs. Iran, as the USMNT subbed him out for Brenden Aaronson, leaving its star winger out for the rest of Tuesday’s contest.
Pulisic was injured while scoring the first goal of the match shortly before halftime, sustaining what was later diagnosed as a pelvic contusion. He returned to finish out the first half, but manager Gregg Berhalter decided to take his star out for a fresh body in the second half.
Up to this point, Pulisic had played every minute of the U.S.’s World Cup matches.
Fox Sports reported during its postgame coverage that Pulisic was taken to a hospital for injury treatment, where the injury was diagnosed. He will be day-to-day leading up to the team’s next match. According to Sports Illustrated‘s Brian Straus, Pulisic arrived at the team hotel before his other teammates came back from the win.
The U.S. ultimately held on for a 1-0 victory over Iran at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, to advance to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup. It will face the Netherlands on Saturday to open the knockout round.