Iran fall to narrow defeat by United States, eliminated from World Cup

DOHA: There always is a tipping point.

For Iran, it came in the 38th minute at the Al Thumama stadium on a night which had started with so much promise, but ended in so much pain.

Christian Pulisic - the man American fans call “Captain America” - would bundle home a tap-in to give the United States the win and seal their progress to the round of 16.

Iran, who only needed a draw as England beat Wales 3-0 in the other group game played on Tuesday (Nov 29) are now headed home after a tumultuous tournament.

No team has had to grapple with the inevitable coalescing of sports and politics at this World Cup more than this Iranian side.

A popular revolt sparked by the death of young woman Mahsa Amini after her arrest for flouting Iran's strict Islamic dress code has gripped the country for over two months. Since then, dozens of Iranian public figures, athletes and artists have displayed solidarity with the protesters.

It was amid this backdrop that the Iranian players stayed silent throughout the course of their national anthem in their opening match against England last week.

However, most players would mumble through the anthem ahead of their second match against Wales, and some did the same against the United States.

In a show of solidarity ahead of the match, the US Soccer Federation temporarily displayed Iran's national flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, leading Tehran to complain to FIFA, according to state media.

The United States and Iran severed formal relations in 1980 and ties were hostile when they met at the 1998 World Cup.

Iran ran out 2-1 winners courtesy of goals from Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia, in a victory which was Iran’s first win at a World Cup.

Fast forward 24 years, and while the ties were no