World Cup 2022 LIVE – Pulisic winner sends United States into last-16 at Iran's expense

It sounds like a great noise in the Al Thumama Stadium. Horns blowing, fans roaring. Fitting of the occasion.

Iran get into the USA box, but Azmoun's cross is cut out.

Pulisic picks up the ball and drives straight through the middle of the pitch, but he's stopped in his stracks just as he's approaching the Iran box by a strong and well-timed challenge from Hosseini.

Iran immediately get a chance to swing in a free-kick from the right wing, midway into the USA half, but it's headed clear.

And we're off! Iran get the action underway in this winner-takes-all Group B clash.

The anthems are about to start...here are a couple of stats too. Take from them what you will.

Just a reminder, with 10 minutes to go until kick-off, that Group A was decided earlier.

The Netherlands finished on top after a 2-0 win over Qatar, while Senegal progressed to the last 16 for the first time in 20 years thanks to a 2-1 victory over Ecuador.

That means that whoever ends up in first place in this group by the end of the night will face Senegal next, while the runner-up will be up against the Dutch. Tasty!

Here's how the USA players and press officer responded to the flag controversy.

Time to wheel out that special word that’s apparently reserved for moments like this – what are the Group B permutations?

All four teams go into tonight’s games with a hope of reaching the knockout stages.

For the USA, it’s simple – they must win to go through.

For Iran, a win will be enough, but a draw would be too as long as Wales don’t beat England.

Fine, if you want more detail than that - head over here:

This being the final round of group games, the other Group B clash is taking place at the same time as Iran v USA tonight.

If you want to keep an eye on that one too, we've got a separate dedicated live blog running here:

If you were wondering what I was alluding to earlier, this week has seen controversy erupt after the USA's social media team removed the Islamic Republic emblem from Iran flags in their posts.

They said it was done as a gesture of "support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights”, but Iran's football federation complained to FIFA.

USA coach Berhalter apologised for the upset caused, but there have been some fiery press conferences in the build-up to this one too.

You can read all about the off-field tensions here:

First thing's first, here's how the teams will line up tonight.

USA coach Gregg Berhalter has made two changes from the 0-0 draw with England, bringing in Celtic centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers and Norwich forward Josh Sargent.

Carlos Queiroz makes just one change: goalkeeper Beiranvand is restored after going off with a nasty head injury in the opener against England. Otherwise he has kept faith with the side that beat Wales 2-0 last time out.

Iran: Beiranvand, Rezaeian, Majid Hosseini, Pouraliganji, Mohammadi, Noorollahi, Ezatolahi, Hajsafi, Gholizadeh, Azmoun, Taremi

USA: Turner, Dest, Carter-Vickers, Ream, Robinson, McKennie, Adams, Musah, Weah, Sargent, Pulisic

What a game we’ve got in store for you tonight. Iran face the United States with a place in the last 16 of the World Cup at stake.

There has been no shortage of off-pitch tension brewing ahead of this game, with Iran complaining to FIFA about the USA’s social media team editing their flag – more on that later.

But on the pitch, there’s history to be made. Iran have never reached the knockout stage of the World Cup before, but that’s exactly what they will do with a win tonight.

For the States, it’s do or die time – they must get three points to progress. Let battle commence!