DOHA : Christian Pulisic was hailed by his team mates on Tuesday after his first-half strike sent the United States through to the World Cup knockout rounds, with the effort landing him in hospital with an abdominal injury.
The Chelsea forward burst into the area and bundled the ball over the line in the 38th minute of Tuesday's Group B decider against Iran.
But he could not even celebrate the goal as he had injured himself following a collision with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.Coach Gregg Berhalter confirmed Pulisic was injured and sent to hospital as a precaution after feeling dizzy, and said the players had a short video call with him from the dressing room."We got to speak to him and he's in good spirits," Berhalter told a news conference."That's what he does, that's the special quality he has and as soon as a goal is wide he goes in with intensity."He crashes the box and makes it really difficult for defenders with his change of pace."The United States join Group B rival England in advancing to the round of 16, fielding what was the national team's youngest ever starting 11 in a must-win match against a physically tough Iran side.
It was unclear the extent of Pulisic's injury and whether he could recover in time for Saturday's match with Group A winners Netherlands.