Iran and USMNT face off in their final Group B encounter of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday. Fresh from a 2-0 victory over Wales on Friday, Iran will look to qualify to the Round of 16 with a win against USMNT.
The ultra-solid USMNT, who have two draws from two games (against England and Wales), will go through to the knockouts with a win over the Asian side.
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With Iran having 3 points in 2 games as against USMNT’s 2 from the same number of games, a draw will put the Asian side with very good qualification chances. Their previous World Cup record also favours the Iranian side.
Iran vs USMNT: head-to-head
Iran and USMNT have played each other twice, with one of those encounters being in a World Cup.
Iran faced USA in the group stages of the 1998 World Cup in France. With goals by Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahadavikia, Iran raced ahead to a 2-0 lead after 84 minutes of play. A late goal by Brian McBride of USA did not spoil Iran’s chances as they sailed home to a 2-1 win.
The two sides met again in an international friendly in 2000. The match ended with a 1-1 draw. As of now, Iran leads the head-to-head 1-0 with one draw.
Iran vs USMNT: stats
Iran have scored three goals against USA with 2 of those coming from Mehdi Mahadavikia. In return, USA have scored two goals, one in each match. Being 16th in the world rankings, USA is marginally ahead of Iran who sit on the 20th spot.
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Iran vs USMNT: predicted lineups, formations
Iran predicted lineup:
Hajsafi (c), Hosseini; Rezaeian, M Hosseini, Pouraliganji, Mohammadi; Ali Gholizadeh, Nourollahi, Ezatolahi, ; Taremi, Azmoun
Formation: 4-3-3
USMNT predicted lineup:
Adams(c), Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson; Musah, McKennie; Pulisic, Weah, Wright
Formation: 4-3-3
