CBS Evening News

Silent Night

By Randall Pinkston

December 15, 2006 / 2:00 PM EST / CBS News

Correspondent Randall Pinkston is doing a tour of duty in Iraq, and filed this update on what he's hearing -- and not. -- Ed.

(AP)

It's nightfall in Iraq. There was almost no gunfire and everyone was disappointed. That's because a barrage of automatic weapons and tracers lighting up the skies would have signaled victory for Iraq's plucky National Football Team. In this part of the world, firing one's rifle into the air is a form of celebration. With almost daily carnage from improvised explosive devices ( IEDS), suicide bombers and random shootings, celebratory gunfire is a welcome respite from violence.

For two and a half weeks, there's been a rare show of national unity here, thanks to soccer. Even insurgents may have taken a break from their deadly missions to follow the Iraq Football Team's amazing journey at the Asia Games in Qatar. Last Saturday, a come-from-behind victory over Uzbekistan put the team into the semi-finals. Wednesday, Iraq dominated North Korea to reach the finals. But late this afternoon, lady luck ran out. Qatar beat Iraq, 1-0. And the guns were silent.

The next time bullets fill the air over Baghdad, it almost certainly will not be a celebration.