US courage, whistled anthem, Iranian madness… The favorites and claws of our special envoy after Iran-USA

Find the analysis of the special envoy of the Figaropresent in Doha during the match between the United States and Iran (0-1) on Tuesday evening.

Special Envoy to Doha

Heart stroke

Pulisic’s “sacrifice” for the US homeland
It took courage for Christian Pulisic to deliver the United States on Tuesday evening in the Al-Thumama stadium in Doha. At the conclusion of a magnificent American action with a cross from McKennie for Dest which put him back in the axis with a single touch of the head, the Chelsea midfielder concluded from the right end however (38e, 1-0). But the American could not celebrate his goal – the victory – being hit head-on by Iranian goalkeeper Beiranvand in the wake of his recovery. Stunned, almost knocked out, Pulisic gave the impression of having gasped and losing his mind despite the help of two members of the US medical staff. More fear than harm, the Blues were able to regain their place and validate with their family the qualification for the round of 16.

The grandstand match (largely) won by the Iranians
Flags and jerseys of the country in shambles, a deafening noise in the pre-match, during each American attack or to push theirs… The stands of the Al-Thumama stadium in Doha looked like an incandescent volcano on Tuesday evening. Whether before, during or after the match, the Iranian supporters, with the help of drums and fog horns, gave voice to encourage their proteges. Of the “ IRAN, IRAN, IRAN continued to descend from the stands, hoping for a happy outcome. Until the last seconds, a whole people pushed behind their heroes, before losing their voice at the final whistle. With tears, sadness and the feeling of having missed a great moment. Without question, the Iranian fans won the match from the stands hands down.

Iranian fans very present. Panoramic.

Carlos Queiroz, a show all to himself
At 69, the Portuguese technician never spares his efforts during a match. For an XXL show. Already there at a press conference where his speeches leave no one indifferent, Carlos Queiroz is also a show all to himself on the sidelines. Hardly ever seated, always getting picked up by the 4e referee to respect the limits of the field, the Iranian coach, returning to the country in September 2022, three years after his last term (2011-2019), continues to put on a show. Great gestures of encouragement, loud applause or signs of dissatisfaction with his players, movements of rage after the refereeing decisions, shooting in the water bottles… Impossible not to turn away from the field for a moment to observe him. And this for more than 90 minutes. Only the US goal left him speechless and prostrate. And made him take off his jacket.

A claw strike

Iran anesthetized then courageous but too limited
The challenge ? The national context? The weight of history? Or quite simply the superiority of the Americans… The fact remains that Team Melli, second in the group before this third and final day, did not achieve their dream of climbing into 8e of the World Cup final. After a soothing first act, Carlos Queiroz’s men raised their heads a little during the second act, without however bringing an unbreathable danger to Turner’s goal. Except on a header at the end of the game via Pouraliganji (90 + 3). Far too little in any case to reverse the trend when it would have taken a simple draw to extricate themselves from a group dominated by England (victory against Wales on Tuesday evening), followed by the Americans. A meeting that will leave regrets to the Iranians, swept away by the English at the start of the tournament (6-2) but who had given themselves hope after their success against the Welsh (2-0). Never in its history, Iran has reached the round of 16 of the World Cup. Next meeting, 2026 with a World Cup planned in Canada, Mexico… and the United States.

“Politics” invites itself during the hymns
Between an Iranian anthem whistled in part by the supporters present en masse on Tuesday evening, but sung by a large majority of players, arm in arm, the explosive political context in Iran has once again invited itself to the side of Doha and the Qatar. A sign that the national revolt has made itself heard beyond the country’s borders. This World Cup will have had the (small) merit of sending messages on the international scene.

Repression around the stadium
Just before the meeting between Iran and the United States, in a respectful atmosphere for this meeting between the two “best enemies” due to their history on the political and international scene, a scene captured by one of our colleagues from Point could shock. An Iranian supporter, present near the Al-Thumama stadium in Doha, was banned from entering the enclosure. The reason ? The latter wore a T-shirt that displayed the words “Woman, life, freedom”, the motto of the uprising in Iran. The Qatari police, who have already reacted in the same way to supporters also wearing rainbow t-shirts in particular, ordered this supporter to leave the scene. Surprising in view of the recommendations of FIFA which had authorized, before the meeting, marks of support for the demonstrators in Iran.

source site