Walker Zimmerman saved the day for the United States.
Eight minutes into more than nine minutes of stoppage time in the group stage match against Iran at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, an Iran header slipped behind United States goalkeeper Matt Turner and looked which could be aimed at the bow.
Zimmerman rushed back and punted the ball, saving the USMNT’s World Cup existence. With the 1-0 victory, the United States advanced to the Round of 16 to play the Netherlands on Saturday morning.
Had Iran tied the game 1-1, the United States would have been eliminated.
The USMNT’s lone goal came late in the first half from Christian Pulisic, who collided with the Iran goalkeeper and had to leave the game with an abdominal injury at halftime.
USMNT defenseman Walker Zimmerman clears the ball in front of an open goal late in the team’s World Cup victory against Iran on November 29, 2022.
Zimmerman started the United States’ first two group games, against Wales and England, but came off the bench against Iran on Tuesday, replaced in the starting lineup by Cameron Carter-Vickers. Zimmerman was substituted during the 81st minute of the game and was playing on relatively fresh legs at the end.
Zimmerman, 29, currently plays professionally for MLS side Nashville SC.
