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American players are cheered as they return to their team hotel in Qatar after making it through to the knockout stages of the World Cup… and hurt Christian Pulisic is there to congratulate them after being released from hospital!
The USMNT were greeted with a hero’s welcome on their return to the team hotel on Tuesday, when a group of fans – including Christian Pulisic – cheered them on as they entered.
Pulisic left the match at half-time after colliding with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand immediately after scoring the game’s decisive goal, and was later diagnosed with a pelvic contusion.
But the match winner, who visited hospital following his injury, was on hand to celebrate with his teammates after their crucial 1-0 win against Iran, giddily registering the team’s entry on his phone and hugging Tim Weah.
Christian Pulisic was delighted to see his teammates as they returned to the hotel
Tim Weah, who started for the third consecutive game on Tuesday, was also all smiles
Sergino Dest can be seen in the clip giving a sign of peace to supporters, while Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Tim Ream all smiled too.
Earlier in the day, the USMNT secured qualification for the Round of 16 with a thrilling victory over Iran as Pulisic’s 38th-minute shot from close range was enough to take all three points.
And the festivities continued in a virtual sense after the game as well, as several players took to social media to acknowledge the victory.
“WE ARE NOT READY YET!” fullback Antonee Robinson said on Twitter. ‘So proud of this team, now we’re going to the knockouts!’
No words to explain what this means to us! Let’s go @usmnt,” Pulisic said on Instagram.
Midfielder Yunus Musah, who turned 20 on Tuesday, said: ‘Thank God I’ve reached my 20th birthday. What a way to do it with this family. Thanks for the messages everyone. Appreciate you all.’
The USMNT was also honored by New York’s Empire State Building on Tuesday, when a video from the skyscraper’s official account showed it glowing red, white and blue.
“Sparkling in red, white and blue to celebrate the @USMNTadvancing in the 2022 World Cup,” the account read in a tweet.
The USMNT is now targeting the Netherlands, who they face on Saturday with a trip to the quarterfinals on the line.