‘IT’S CALLED SOCCER’: Twitter EXPLODES with patriotic memes as USA defeats Iran in World Cup

Twitter blew up with patriotic memes after the close win, with many asserting firmly that the sport is indeed called "soccer" rather than the much worse term "football" that is used by many across the globe.

Supporters of the US team were heard proudly chanting "it's called soccer" after the victory against Iran.

The contest's only goal was scored by Christian Pulisic in the 36th minute. The United States is set to play the Netherlands this weekend.

A heated press conference on Monday preceded the match-up, with the US's Tyler Adams graciously handling snarky questions from an Iranian journalist who told the team captain that he was pronouncing the country's name wrong, and asked him how he as a black man could stand with Iran's social problems without criticizing his own country first.

"I was very easily able to assimilate in different cultures," Adams said. "Not everyone has that ease and that ability to do that. Obviously it takes others longer to understand and through education, I think it's super important — like you just educated me now on the pronunciation of your country," he said.

"It's a process. I think as long as you see progress, that's the most important thing."