FIFA World Cup 2022: England vs USA Match Draws With 0-0

FIFA World Cup 2022 England vs USA: In their 0-0 tie with the United States on Friday, Gareth Southgate’s team squandered an opportunity to secure their spot in the FIFA World Cup’s round of 16.

With a win in their second tournament match, Southgate’s squad would have been certain of moving on from Group B, but they hardly gave a tenacious USA team anything to think about.

England lacked the energy they showed in their initial game and was jeered off at the end after crushing Iran 6-2 on Monday.

They only mustered one attempt on goal, and the USA had extended stretches of dominance at the Al Bayt Stadium in the first half when they easily might have given up.

FIFA World Cup 2022: USA vs England Group B Match Summary

England fell short of expectations for the third time in three FIFA World Cup encounters with the United States.

This was another stubborn American effort against England, dampening some excitement about the Three Lions after the Iran slaughter. The Americans had previously lost shockingly in the 1950 tournament and drawn 1-1 in 2010.

Even if England’s performance was very disappointing, they still had control over their fate.

England would go to the knockout rounds with a draw against Wales on November 29, while a win would guarantee first place.

The USA plays Iran on the same day, knowing that a victory would advance them to the round of 16. The USA had drawn their previous two games.

Even though Gregg Berhalter’s squad is the second-youngest at the FIFA World Cup, they made lethargic England seem like the ones who overindulged in turkey the day after America celebrated Thanksgiving.

For the first time since losing to Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final, England chose an unchanged lineup with Harry Kane and Harry Maguire healthy after recovering from ankle injuries and illnesses, respectively.

But unlike the timid Iran, whom England controlled possession of from the start, the USA was far more eager to push higher up the field.

Laboured England

Due to the USA’s temporary desire to confront England, space opened up behind them, and Bukayo Saka was set free to sprint down the right side of the US area by Jude Bellingham’s daring run and pass.

Kane received Saka’s cross, but Walker Zimmerman stopped him from scoring by blocking his shot.

That close call for England turned out to be a mirage in the desert as Haji Wright, a surprise replacement for Josh Sargent, gave the Americans their first shot at goal with a well-timed run into the box and a header that flew wide.

The USA was forewarned that England would be troubled, and a few seconds later, Weston McKennie ought to have put them in the lead.

The unmarked McKennie fired from 10 yards just wide of the relieved Pickford’s goal after Timothy Weah’s wide right cross evaded the helpless England defence.

Christian Pulisic jinked into space and blasted a rising shot against the crossbar from inside the area, giving Berhalter’s side a chance to transform the creative performance into a magnificent lead while not showing any symptoms of being spooked by England.

The English team appeared panicked, giving the ball away far too readily, and they laboured in their build-up play. Pulisic tested their frayed nerves with a header that flashed wide.

Saka’s ball found Mason Mount, playing for Chelsea, and his low effort from 20 yards forced USA goalkeeper Matt Turner to make his first save in a rare instance of an English threat.

Tyler Adams crunched into a tackle on Saka, winning the ball, and screamed in joy afterward, exemplifying the USA energy that contrasted England’s sluggishness.

Even when Kane missed the target with his header from Luke Shaw’s free kick in stoppage time, England continued to play at a crawl.

Highlights: England vs USA | FIFA World Cup Qatar

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