England moved closer to a place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup with a 0-0 draw with the USA, but their poor performance was a real test of their tournament ambitions and means they will have to wait until their final group game against Wales on Tuesday to sealed a place in the last 16.
Only defeat by Wales by four goals or more would prevent Group B leaders England from progressing to the next stage, but Southgate will have to ask questions about his side’s big drop in form and how they can rediscover form for the business phase of this competition.
After England beat Iran 6-2 in their opening match in Qatar, there was optimism among their supporters about building their squad on the way to last summer’s Euro final. But there were boos from those traveling fans by the final whistle, with Gareth Southgate’s side falling behind the pace and disjointed against a spirited USA side.
Christian Pulisic hit the bar in the first half and Harry Maguire had to clear a series of corners as the Americans piled on the pressure in the second half. While there was no way of repeating the famous upset of that 1950 match, the USA did enough to re-set perceptions of England’s prospects and boost their own hopes of progress.
Image: John Stones battles for possession with Christian Pulisic
Harry Kane’s blocked shot early in the match and his header from Luke Shaw’s free-kick in second-half stoppage time were as close as the Three Lions’ toothless attack came to troubling the USA during an anxious – if not and immediately harmful – representation.
The USA, meanwhile, are third in Group B, a point behind Iran, who they face on Tuesday. A win would see them into the last 16.
Big moments in the game…
- 10 min: Kane’s shot at goal from eight yards is blocked by Zimmerman from Saka’s cuts
- 26 min: McKenney fires over Moussa’s cross
- 33 min: Pulisic hits the post with a left-footed shot from inside the box
- 41 min: Dest’s shot is blocked by Maguire over the bar and into the corner
- 45 min: Saka shoots from Shaw’s shot
- 49 min: Stones blocks Wright before McKenney shoots
- 90+3 min: Kane heads Shaw’s free-kick
England, fresh from a loss against Iran, showed determination in the opening phase, with Kane’s goal blocked after Bukayo Saka’s cut-back and Mason Mount’s strike after a dribble into the box by Maguire.
Sam Blitz England Player Ratings
England: Pickford (6), Trippier (5), Stones (7), Maguire (8), Shaw (5); Rice (6), Mount (5), Bellingham (7); Saka (6), Kane (6), Sterling (5)
subtitles: Grealish (6), Henderson (6), Rashford (6)
Player of the match: Harry Maguire
But soon their possession lacked purpose and without the ball Southgate’s side looked uncertain and uncoordinated as Hadji Wright headed over, Weston McKenney fired well and former England youth international Younus Musa saw a shot deflected into the grasp of Jordan Pickford.
Growing concern about England’s performance from the traveling support in the stands at Al Bayt Stadium was compounded when Pulisic smashed a fierce left-footed shot against the frame of Pickford’s goal from just inside the box.
Image: Jordan Pickford looks on as USA head wide
Maguire – excellent on his 50th cap – then did well to block a dangerous shot from Sergino Dest and Pulisic headed home as England leveled at half-time. A late strike from Saka and the Three Lions’ first effort on goal of the game in stoppage time from Mount did little to mask England’s struggles in the opening 45 minutes.
Team news
- England named an unchanged XI from the side that beat Iran, with Harry Kane overcoming an injury scare and Harry Maguire recovering from illness to win his 50th cap
- The USA made one change from their draw with Wales, with Haji Wright replacing Josh Sargent in attack.
There was no improvement after the break, with John Stones having to be blocked by Wright, McKenney shot again, Pulisic’s shot deflected wide and the USA ratcheted up the pressure around the hour mark with a flurry of corners.
In the 68th minute, Southgate finally made his move, dropping Jordan Henderson and Jack Grealish for the ineffective Raheem Sterling and, more surprisingly, Jude Bellingham.
Image: Harry Kane scores a late chance in England’s World Cup match against the USA
Grealish won a couple of free kicks around the USA box, and Kane’s header from Shaw’s cross in the dying moments went wide. But with Phil Foden on the bench, there will once again be questions about the England manager’s adventurousness.
England recorded a tough draw with Scotland in their second Euro group game to reach the final. Their supporters will be hoping this is ultimately seen as a point and a clean sheet that takes England forward at this World Cup rather than an example of their limitations.
What does the result mean?
England must avoid losing to Wales by four goals on Tuesday in the 7pm game to book a place in the last 16.
The USA must beat Iran in their game at the same time to leapfrog Carlos Queiroz’s side and reach the knockout stages.
Southgate: “I knew it would be difficult; we won’t get through all of them”
Gareth Southgate spoke to ITV:
“It was exactly the kind of match I thought it would be – it was really tough against a good opponent who was very athletic.
“I knew it would be difficult for us after such a high level to repeat this kind of performance [against Iran]. I am very happy with how the players performed.
“Some of our quality in the final third could have been a bit better but we showed great resilience to defend against an opponent who kept asking questions. We controlled the game well at the back and just couldn’t open them up with that really clear chance.
“I think we didn’t have the same zip, but that’s going to happen because it’s tournament football.
“We’re not going to get through a tournament and get through all of them without having nights like this where you have to show different qualities to get the result.”
Reporter’s view: England unrecognized by Iran victory
Image: Harry Kane restrains Tyler Adams
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett in Qatar:
“There were boos all around the Al Bait Stadium all the time. It would have been cruel if England had lost this match, but it would also have been undeserved if they had won it.
“That late Kane header will go down Southgate’s throat. He was there to win, and an ugly win at that, in stoppage time.
“But also, if Pulisic’s raspy first-half strike had been a foot lower, England could have been on the wrong side of the scoreline.
“The USA bullied and upset, as we knew they would, and that really knocked England out of their stride, which was pedestrian and unrecognizable from the free-scoring, fluid team we saw against Iran four days ago.
“It was very much ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ from England’s point of view. And it’s a reality check about where the team is.
“Equality is by no means a catastrophe. England still top the group with four points and a very good goal difference.
“But it does mean that the final Group B game against Wales is still a long way off and England will need to perform much, much better if they are to sweep their British rivals aside and progress to the knockout stages with spring in his steps.”
Man of the Match: Harry Maguire
Image: Harry Maguire competes for the ball against the USA
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:
“The scrutiny and criticism of Harry Maguire has been intense over the past year. His absence from Manchester United’s starting XI for most of this season has fueled calls for Gareth Southgate to leave him out of his squad for this World Cup, or at least leave him on the bench in favor of a more in-form defender.
“It was never going to happen given Southgate’s respect for the centre-back and the credit Maguire has in the bank in an England shirt. And on Friday night, he fully justified his inclusion.
“There were eight clearances – more than twice as many as any other England player – as Maguire repeatedly took USA corners in the second half. There was a vital block on Younus Moussa’s shot, with Maguire battling the advancing winger before timing his intervention.
“This was a game that played to Maguire’s strengths, with England’s struggles elsewhere on the pitch requiring a backs-to-the-walls mentality from their most experienced defender. Maguire rose to the challenge and proved a point.”
Opta Stats: England beat USA again
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