The United States qualified for the round of 16 of the Qatar 2022 World Cup after defeating the Iranian national team 1-0 in their last Group B game, meaning that the team now led by coach Gregg Berhalter has advanced past the first round in the last three major world soccer tournaments they have played (not including their absence at Russia 2018).
The ‘American Outlaws’ in Buffalo went wild celebrating Christian Pulisic’s heroic goal against Iran
Mexico, with seven consecutive World Cups in the Round of 16
However, this is not the most impressive record among CONCACAF teams, as Mexico has so far qualified for the Round of 16 in seven consecutive World Cups and in eight consecutive participations (not including its absence at Italy 1990).
These data suggest that if El Tri, as everything seems to indicate, does not make it to the Round of 16 when they face Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, it will be the first time that the USMNT has reached a World Cup elimination game without Mexico doing so.
USMNT supporters in DC went wild after vital Iran win: “I believe that we have won!”
Uruguay 1930, when the U.S. overcame Mexico
This information would be true if we do not take into account the first World Cup in history, Uruguay 1930, 92 years ago was the only time this situation occurred, so we remember how that tournament was for both CONCACAF national teams.
Party in Argentina dressing room after win against Mexico
Mexico was placed in Group 1 along with France, Argentina and Chile. El Tri played its first match in the history of the World Cups and lost 4-1 against Les Bleus, later succumbed 3-0 against the Andeans and said goodbye with another 6-3 defeat against the Albiceleste.
For its part, the United States was in Group 4 along with Paraguay and Belgium. The North American team’s debut was against the Europeans, whom they defeated 3-0, the same score with which they defeated the Guaranes.
These results gave the USMTN a pass to the semifinals where they faced Argentina, the South American team won 6-1.