Christian Pulisic suffered a “pelvic contusion,” the U.S. men’s soccer team said Tuesday evening, on the play when he scored the goal that sent the Americans to the World Cup’s round of 16.
When Pulisic crashed the net to finish Sergiño Dest’s setup pass in the 38th minute, his lower body — to put it politely — slammed into Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand’s onrushing left knee. Pulisic immediately grimaced and reached for the area in question, then stayed down.
In the game’s immediate aftermath, a team spokesperson said it was an abdominal injury, and said Pulisic was taken to a hospital in Qatar. Scans at the hospital led to the official diagnosis.
