Iran vs USA: Preview, team news – November 29 – WC2022

 Iran vs USA form:

Iran’s form:

During the 2-0 victory over Wales, Iran appeared to be returning to the form that earned them a spot in the World Cup. Late goals from Roozbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian quickly dispelled any notions that Team Melli would be the target of ridicule in the group after a humiliating loss to England. Sardar Azmoun, a forward for Bayer Leverkusen, was available from the start against Wales, giving Carlos Queiroz's team a greater offensive threat. The 27-year-old combined well with star Mehdi Taremi, who unlike in the first game of the group stage had a competent partner in crime at the top end of the pitch.

Azmoun, who has a calf injury that has kept him out of action for his club team since early October, went down three separate times for treatment before amazingly getting up and continuing. The 40-goal international was ultimately substituted after 68 minutes as his team sought a victory. With three points from two games and a second-place finish in Group B, Iran knows that a victory over the USA on Tuesday will guarantee them a spot in the World Cup's knockout rounds for the first time in team history. However, even a draw would be sufficient if Wales loses to England.

USA’s form:

Gregg Berhalter's USA team has demonstrated they are going to be a fresh prospect in international football with a youthful crop of dynamic and athletic players despite failing to get all three points from either of their two opening games at this tournament. Ten such players, who had previously spent decades representing the United States at the highest level in Europe, wore the stars and stripes on Friday night and dominated England for large stretches of the match. Only poor finishing denied Berhalter's team a first World Cup victory over the Three Lions since 1950.

After escaping Bukayo Saka's attention and launching a shot from within the box, Weston McKennie missed. Shortly after, Christian Pulisic fired a fierce shot that forced Jordan Pickford to dive to divert the ball away from the goal. In contrast to their English counterparts, the USA's fullbacks, Sergino De St. and Antonee Robinson of Fulham, provided speed on the flanks, and Tyler Adams held Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount at bay in the middle of the field.

Iran vs USA head to head:

The US squad and the Iranian team previously faced off in the 1998 World Cup. At that point, the Iranian squad triumphed 2-1.

Team news:

Alireza Jahanbakhsh, a former player for Brighton and Hove Albion, will miss Iran's last Group B match after receiving a second caution of the competition for a high-footed attack on Wales' Chris Mepham in the dying moments of play on Friday. Star player Azmoun is questionable for Team Melli after suffering noticeably for the 68 minutes of play against Wales, but Queiroz may start the attacker on Tuesday given how much skill he offers to the team. After suffering a severe head injury against England in Iran's opening World Cup match, Alireza Beiranvand missed the Wales match due to concussion protocol. However, the 30-year-old is eligible to play again in this crucial matchup if Queiroz decides to bench Hossein Hosseini, who recorded a clean sheet on Friday.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh is set to miss this match

Prior to Tuesday's game, the USA have no new injury worries; instead, the majority of fan and media interest has been on Giovanni Reyna of Borussia Dortmund, who has only played in 15 minutes of World Cup action so far. The lone change from the Wales encounter was Josh Sargent being replaced by Haji Wright in the USA starting XI against England. The Americans have failed to settle on a reliable striker as Berhalter looks to find his team's clinical edge. Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United has contributed in the previous two games as a substitute, and he appears to be in line for a similar role on Tuesday. This World Cup has been a huge success for the midfield combination of Adams, McKennie, and Yunus Musah.

Probable lineups:

Iran: H Hosseini; Rezaeian, M Hosseini, Pouraliganji, Mohammadi; Ali Gholizadeh, Nourollahi, Ezatolahi, Hajsafi; Taremi, Azmoun

USA: Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson; Adams, Musah, McKennie; Pulisic, Weah, Wright