USA stars are celebrated as they arrive back at their team hotel in Qatar after advancing to World Cup last-16… and hurt Christian Pulisic is there to congratulate teammates after leaving hospital!
The USMNT were greeted to a hero’s welcome upon their return to the team hotel in Qatar on Tuesday, as a group of fans – including Christian Pulisic – cheered them on as they walked in.
Pulisic left the game at halftime after colliding with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand immediately after scoring the game’s decisive goal, and was later diagnosed with a pelvic contusion.
But the matchwinner, who visited the hospital after his injury, was on hand to celebrate with his teammates after their crucial 1-0 win vs. Iran, as he giddily recorded the team’s entrance on his phone and hugged Tim Weah.
Sergino Dest can be seen in the clip delivering a peace sign to supporters, while Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Tim Ream were all smiles as well.
Earlier in the day, the USMNT secured qualification to the round of 16 with a nail-biting victory over Iran, as Pulisic’s 38th minute shot from close range was enough to get all three points.
And the celebrations continued in a virtual sense after the game as well, as several players took to social media to acknowledge the win.
Christian Pulisic was thrilled to see his teammates as they returned to the hotel in Qatar
Tim Weah, who started for a third successive game on Tuesday, was all smiles as well
USA captain Tyler Adams was given a warm reception as he arrived back at hotel Tuesday
‘WE’RE NOT DONE YET!’ fullback Antonee Robinson said on Twitter. ‘So proud of this team, now we keep it going into 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 for making me reach my 20th birthday. What a way to do it with this family. Thanks for the messages everyone. Appreciate y’all.’
Musah was met with a birthday cake after the game by Berhalter, as a video posted to the midfielder’s Instagram account showed the coach bringing over the dessert with the USA starter blowing out a candle.
Several USMNT players took to social media to acknowledge the win over Iran Tuesday night
The USMNT was also paid tribute by New York’s Empire State Building on Tuesday, as a video from the skyscraper’s official account showed it lit up red, white and blue.
‘Sparkling in Red, White, and Blue to celebrate the @USMNTadvancing in the 2022 World Cup,’ a tweet from the account read.
The USMNT will now turn their focus to the Netherlands, who they’ll face on Saturday with a trip to the quarterfinals at stake.
Proud USA coach Gregg Berhalter paid tribute to his team after reaching the World Cup knockouts.
‘I have less hair on my head now!’ Berhalter joked. ‘With this new injury time, I was counting every second. It’s stressful. But we’ll take it and battle Holland.
‘I feel proud. Proud. I think that the first half we showed what we can do, soccer-wise. We played a good first half.
‘Second half we showed what we can do determination-wise. The guys grinded, we’re undefeated going into the next round.’