BREAKING: #Chelsea Star, Christian #Pulisic Hospitalised After Historic #FIFAWorldCup Goal [PHOTO]—Christian Pulisic might have scored the goal that sent his country to the last-16 of the World Cup but he ended the night in hospital after picking up an abdominal injury.
The Chelsea star jabbed home from close-range to seal all three points for USA against Iran in a game they had to win to have any chance of progressing in the tournament, but took a thwack to the stomach for his troubles and had to be substituted at half-time.
Christian Pulisic has given US fans and his national team a marked boost ahead of its do-or-die Round of 16 clash with the Netherlands Saturday morning.
Pulisic scored the winning goal in their final group game vs. Iran to secure progression, before succumbing to an abdominal injury which occurred in the act of scoring. Following his substitution, he was taken to hospital.
Amid fears on his condition, what appears to be a snapchat picture of Pulisic from his hospital bed has surfaced on social media, retweeted by the USA team’s official account, showing him cheering
Awaiting them are the Netherlands who finished top of Group A ahead of Senegal, Ecuador and hosts, Qatar.
Without Pulisic, the Dutch would present an order almost too tall to conquer, but with him they have every chance of knocking off the Oranje.
Pulisic has been lavished in praise by teammates and media alike since the US qualified for a chance at the quarter-finals.
Coach Gregg Berhalter provided no detailed update on the Chelsea winger following his side’s triumph over longtime political rival, Iran.
‘No update on the status,’ Berhalter said of his star man.
‘But I’ve been saying all along, it is a wonderful thing when one of your best players is one of the hardest working. I can’t say enough positive things about Christian.’
Midfielder Tyler Adams echoed his coach’s admiration of ‘Captain America’, speaking postgame.
‘How many goals has he scored like that in his career?’ Adams said.
‘I mean, back post arriving, he’s brilliant. The way that his timing is in into the box and to get in front of that ball, he’ll do anything for this team in order for us to win.
‘[He’s a] huge player for us, obviously. Praying for him, hoping everything is OK.
‘But he’ll hang in there. I know he’ll do anything to play in the next game. So we’ll be counting on him.’
For a third time in four World Cups, the US is through to the last-16. After dominating the young Americans retreated to see out the nervy final exchanges.
It wasn’t without drama during nine minutes of stoppage time, and yet it ended in a famous win for the Stars and Stripes.
Bravery and heart were there in abundance as the second youngest squad in the tournament secured victory to see them finish as runners-up to England in Group B.
‘I always say it’s us against the world. Cause no one believed that the U.S. could play good football,’ star winger, Tim Weah said postgame. ‘We’re just here trying to show the world.
‘I think it’s no better than to do it with the people you love. My family are in the stands and we do it for them.’
The burgeoning US squad will next look to defy its doubters and the Dutch come Saturday morning.
