Battle of the bots: US blocks Iran and putters ball to glory in RoboCup finals

American robot THORwin, designed by a team from the University of Pennsylvania, won the 'adult-size humanoid' category at the annual event

The Iranian bore down on the US, a goal or two away from bringing America to its knees and achieving world domination. America's sole defender stared ahead, unblinking. There would be no deal with Tehran today.

Thus a team of Americans and their four-and-a-half-foot robot defeated Iran 5-4 in the RoboCup soccer final on Wednesday, denying the Iranians the 2015 title. The victory keeps the geopolitical rivalry heated in at least one arena, even if relations have improved in the diplomatic one.