Christian Pulisic was the American hero against Iran to end one of the most toxic weeks in World Cup history

AL THUMAMA STADIUM – This edition of the World Cup has served up a whole raft of shocks, whether it is to the bank balance of those here in Qatar, Japan upsetting German applecart or Saudi Arabia sending the region into a frenzy after downing Lionel Messi and Argentina.

After watching the USA reach the World Cup last 16 for the third time in the last four tournaments following their narrow win over Iran, to finish tucked in behind their forefathers England in Group B, there was a feeling that everything was normal again, given how the US got over the line: the man with the weight of a nation on his shoulders, Christian Pulisic, delivered once again, before going off injured.

It was just the sense of familiarity that was needed after one of the most politically charged and toxic run-ups to a match in footballing history.

Already at odds for decades, coach Carlos Queiroz and many of the Iranian media in Qatar claimed they are treated differently to other nations by western journalists, unhappy that the line of questioning is always centred on what is going on back in Iran and whether players should be protesting against the Islamic regime in place, rather than matters on the pitch.

Jurgen Klinsmann’s comments about Iranian culture and his ill-advised attempts to clean up his mess elevated animosity to new levels. All of which took focus away from the job that both teams had to do in a raucous Al Thumama Stadium.

There were boos for the Iranian national anthem once more, but the players sang, with reports in the US suggesting their families had been threatened into passing on the message that they behave.

It is not clear whether their minds were elsewhere, but Queiroz’s side were simply not in the contest from the off.

Pulisic’s header found the target early on, before Yunus Musah’s strike fizzed over the top.

A US goal was coming, and when it did, in 38 minute, a fine sweeping move was finished off by Pulisic, in a manner Chelsea fans have not been treated too on as many occasions as his talent, and bravery, warrants.

The ball across from Weston McKennie was perfect, onto the head of AC Milan full-back Sergino Dest, with Pulisic sticking his body on the line to beat Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, back from his clattering against England, to the ball to nudge home what proved to be the winner.

In doing so, Pulisic never really recovered, failing to emerge for the second half, dampening the US celebrations somewhat with a well-organised Netherlands to break down on Saturday in the knockout rounds.

Iran only needed one goal, as a draw would see them through to the knockout stages for the first time, but other than Brentford’s Saman Ghoddos going close with a low drive, they never really troubled Arsenal stand-in stopper Matt Turner.

Nine minutes of added time got Iranians dreaming of the perfect way to break American hearts after such a poisonous preamble, and scoring late is their side’s forte, but it was not meant to be as the one moment of true quality, from a player a nation back home can always lean on, saw the US through.