United States soccer star Christian Pulisic was taken to a hospital in Qatar after suffering an abdominal issue while scoring a crucial goal against Iran Tuesday, but wrote that he’ll be ready for Saturday’s Round of 16 matchup with Netherlands in a Snapchat post.
Pulisic broke the deadlock in a must-win game in the 38th minute but paid the price, taking a knee from Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand while finishing a headed cross from Sergiño Dest.
Pulisic puts it away! 😤
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 29, 2022
🎥 » @FOXSoccer
pic.twitter.com/HPId4hsu4a
Pulisic was down in the Iran goal for multiple minutes before he was helped off the field. He tried to run off his injury but couldn’t continue and was substituted for Brenden Aaronson at halftime.
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The Chelsea winger was taken to the hospital for evaluation, raising concerns because he is the linchpin of an American attack that has struggled to score in this tournament. But he alleviated some of those worries with his social media post.
Christian Pulisic from the hospital after suffering an abdominal injury against Iran 🦅🇺🇸
— ESPN (@espn) November 29, 2022
(via @AreaSportsNet, @Adimitri24) pic.twitter.com/zUM0Ewhbxw
“So [expletive] proud of my guys,” Pulisic wrote, looking in high spirits. “I’ll be ready for Saturday don’t worry.”
The US reached the Round of 16 for the first time since 2014 and will take on the Netherlands, the Group A winners, at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Read more about the World Cup
‘We got it done’: US beats Iran, 1-0, behind heroic Christian Pulisic goal to advance to Round of 16
Keep up with the World Cup: See the scores of every match, and check out today’s schedule
Meet the 26 players on the US Men’s National Team roster who are vying for glory in Qatar
Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com.