USA star embraces distraught Iran players in emotional World Cup moment

United States international Antonee Robinson showed his class by consoling Ramin Rezaeian and other Iran players after the Stars and Stripes progressed and sent their opponents home on Tuesday night.

The image of Robinson embracing Rezaeian is one of the most powerful of the Qatar World Cup. The political relations between the USA and Iran have been strained for decades and the two nations haven't met on a football pitch since January 2000.

US manager Gregg Berhalter and captain Tyler Adams faced a barrage of questions from Iranian journalists ahead of Tuesday's game, with one reporter suggesting America is a 'racist' nation and another asking about their country's military presence in the Gulf.

The US social media account also raised the stakes by publishing an Iran flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic. The Iranian government asked FIFA to kick US out of the World Cup due to the controversial post, but the request was denied.

Berhalter did apologise for the flag incident. "Sometimes things are out of our control," he said. "We're not focused on those outside things and all we can do is apologise on behalf of the players and the staff, but it's not something that we were a part of."

Yet it was still feared Tuesday night's game could boil over. That didn't happen, however, as US won 1-0 at the Al Thumama Stadium thanks to Christian Pulisic's goal. The result means Berhalter's side will face Netherlands in the last 16 on Saturday.

What do you make of the the incident between Antonee Robinson and Ramin Rezaeian? Let us know in the comments below!

Iran, meanwhile, are out of the World Cup. Their players were evidentially distraught by the result, with Rezaeian in floods of tears. Fulham defender Robinson was on hand to console his rival and give him a warm cuddle and pep talk lasting several seconds.

Considering the furore surrounding Tuesday night's game, Robinson's embrace wasn't expected at all. The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the political world and proves football can be used a force for good in even the most challenging situations.

USA president Joe Biden wasn't as gracious towards Iran with his response. He told reporters: "USA! USA! That's a big game, man. When I spoke to the coach and the players, I said, 'You can do this'. They went, 'Eh [maybe]'. They did it, God love them."

Politics aside, US have a decent chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Netherlands are the favourites for Saturday's game after winning Group A, although they aren't overwhelmingly fancied after battling wins against Senegal and Qatar, as well as a draw against Ecuador.

Louis van Gaal's side are also ranked only eight places higher than US. Berhalter's talisman Pulisic has promised to be fit for Saturday's game after suffering an injury while scoring the winner against Iran. He was taken to the hospital to assess the injury.

"I sent him a text and checked on him, and he said, 'Best believe I'll be ready on Saturday,'" said US international Weston McKennie. "Obviously we're very thankful that he threw his body there. At the end it was a heart-drop sinking moment, but we got it done and we're excited to still be here.''

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