CHRISTIAN PULISIC was forced to watch the end of USA’s nervy clash with Iran from a hospital bed after injuring himself netting the winner.
The Chelsea winger grabbed the only goal of the game in the 38th minute, which included a painful collision with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
After several minutes of treatment, Pulisic was taken off at half time, and went to hospital soon after having complained of dizziness and abdominal pain.
Yet he soon posted a picture of himself on social media lying in a hospital bed celebrating the win after keeping track of the score on his phone.
And ‘Captain America’ has assured worried USA fans that he will be fine for their last-16 clash with Holland on Saturday.
Boss Gregg Berhalter explained: “He was taken to hospital as a precaution. He was feeling some dizziness and suffered an abdominal injury.
“We facetimed him after from the locker room [at full-time]. We got to see him and he is in good spirits.
“My guess is he brought his phone with him and he was just updating one of these football score apps.
“Christian makes those sorts of runs. That’s what he does and that’s the special quality he has. He makes it really difficult for defenders.”
Pulisic posted on social media: “So proud of my guys. I’ll be ready for Saturday, don’t worry.”
On how far the Yanks can now go in Qatar, Berhalter said: “We had two goals. One was to advance through the group stage and then get into the knock-outs.
“From here, anything can happen. There is no need to project how far this team can go because the next match is against Holland and that’s our main focus.
“It is great to be in this format. We relish this. It is an opportunity to keep grinding and stick together and enjoy this experience.”
Iran began the evening ahead of USA in Group B, and needed just a point to qualify for the last-16 of a World Cup for the first time in their history.
But coach Carlos Queiroz said: “The dream is over. It is fair to say that we should score in the second half and the draw was the right result of this game but it is football.
“That thing of fair does not exist. The reality is this. Congratulations to the US, all the best to them in the second round of the World Cup.”
