World Cup 2022 USA vs Iran in Group B Shootout

USA vs Iran

If you had given either of these teams a shot at the Round of 16 in their final group game they would both have taken it, and that’s what makes World Cup 2022 USA vs Iran a box office draw.

Both nations have their destiny in their own hands. After deservedly beating Wales 2-0 Iran have given themselves a big opportunity, and it was a brilliant recovery from their opening-day defeat. Meanwhile, the Stars and Stripes have picked up two draws and they now need to turn their unbeaten run into a winning one. The two teams sit second and third in the Group B rankings and the permutations are quite straightforward.

The USA need to win, pure and simple, a draw would see Gregg Berhalter’s team out of the competition. But a point will see Carlos Queiroz’s Iran men through to the knockout phase, unless Wales somehow beat group favourites England. The Dragons are at SBOTOP odds of 7.60 to spring that surprise, but stranger things have happened and, should the Three Lions falter then Iran will need a win.

It’s all set up perfectly for a dramatic climax at the Al Thumama Stadium.  

Talking Points

Iran’s passion is beyond compare 

Losing 6-2 to England in their tournament opener was a shocking turn of events for Team Melli, but they won widespread admiration for their stand against the regime back home, refusing to sing the national anthem. Now there’s a strong argument that politics should stay out of sport but the Iran players stood up and stuck by their beliefs, in contrast to some of the European sides who decided not to wear the ‘One Love’ armband when they learned they might get booked!

Back to the footy, Iran’s fighting spirit was abundant again when they faced Wales, needing to win to keep their campaign alive. After totally dominating the game, hitting the post twice and having a goal ruled out, it looked like they were heading for a goalless stalemate: but, after Wales’ keeper Wayne Hennesey was red-carded for a rash and dangerous challenge, Iran took advantage with goals from Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian deep into stoppage time. 

There was bedlam in the stands and wild celebrations on the pitch and on the bench as the three points were confirmed by the referee’s whistle.

Taremi Mehdi scored the two goals against England and he will be a shoe-in to start up front, probably alongside Sardar Azmoun, who tormented the Welsh defence for an hour on Friday.            

The pressure is now on USA’s sharp-shooters

After drawing their opener with Wales the Stars and Stripes were a little deflated, dropping two points to a late Gareth Bale penalty but they put in a fine performance on Friday night to share the spoils with England. Chelsea star Christian Pulisic came closest to breaking the deadlock with a fierce drive which crashed back off the crossbar.

Pulisic is the USA’s best player among a youthful attack which boasts 22-year-old Tim Weah and 20-year-old Gio Reyna. They need to show calmness beyond their years in front of goal and improve on the return of one goal from two games. Wales fans will be watching the USA vs Iran updates, hoping that the Stars and Stripes’ drawing sequence continues, but Berhalter’s young guns will be determined to put that right.

The elder statesman of the USA team, 35-year-old centre back Tim Ream, could be a key man in the outcome of this clash. If he can marshal the States’ defence to nullify the threat of Mehdi and Azmoun then his creative team-mates can win the day.    

History

The USA have been at ten World Cup finals, reaching the semi-finals in the inaugural competition in 1930, while Iran are making their sixth appearance and are yet to reach the knockout phase, so this current crop of players are on the verge of making more history, after beating a European side for the first time on Friday.

The omens are good for Team Melli. In the only previous meetings between these two teams they came out on the right end of a 2-1 score line at the 1998 World Cup.

And in terms of recent form the Iranians have the edge, with three wins, a draw and two defeats from the last six games, while the USA have won once, drawn four times and lost just one.   

Betting Tip

The pre-match USA vs Iran betting odds are backing the Stars and stripes to win at a price of 1.95 while the Double Chance Iran or Draw is priced at 1.78. 

For a correct score line, 1-0 to the USA is priced at 5.80 and it’s the same odds for a 1-1 draw. These 90+ minutes will be nerve-jangling and I suspect the Stars and Stripes draw habit will spark more celebrations in Iran.

 

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