England missed out on a chance to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup when Gareth Southgate’s side played limp in their 0-0 draw against the United States on Friday. Southgate’s men would have been guaranteed to advance from Group B with a win in their second game of the tournament, but they rarely troubled a determined American team. After England beat Iran 6-2 on Monday, England lacked the urgency they showed in their opening game and were booed full-time. They only scored one shot on target and could have easily conceded in the first half when the US was in control at Al Bayt Stadium for a long time.
For the third time in three World Cup meetings with the US, England could not live up to its status as favorite.
After a shock defeat in the 1950 tournament and a 1-1 draw in 2010, this was another defiant American effort against England, which cooled some of the hype surrounding the Three Lions after the defeat in Iran.
Although it was an extremely disappointing performance from England, they are still in control of their own destiny.
A draw in their final group game against Wales on November 29 would see England progress to the knockout stages, while a win would seal first place.
The US, who drew their first two games, will play Iran on the same day, knowing that a win would see them move into the last 16.
Gregg Berhalter’s group is the second youngest team at the World Cup, but a day after America celebrated Thanksgiving, they left sluggish England looking like they were the ones who ate too much turkey.
With Harry Kane and Harry Maguire recovered from ankle injury and illness respectively, England named an unchanged squad for the first time since their 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia.
But while England dominated possession against timid Iran from the opening moments, they found the US far more willing to move up the pitch.
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The US desire to briefly attack England left space and Jude Bellingham’s buccaneering run and pass freed Bukayo Saka down the right side of US territory.
Saka’s cross reached Kane, whose shot was blocked by Walker Zimmerman.
That near miss turned out to be a mirage in the desert for England as Haji Wright, a surprise selection in place of Josh Sargent, saw the Americans’ goal for the first time with a well-timed run into the area for a header that whistled wide.
It was a warning that the US could get England into trouble and moments later Weston McKennie should have put them ahead.
Timothy Weah’s cross from right wide eluded the flat-footed England defense and the unmarked McKennie pulled the trigger from 10 yards out but fired just wide of Pickford’s relieved goal.
Showing no signs of being intimidated by England, Berhalter’s side were just inches away from converting the enterprising performance into a stunning lead as Christian Pulisic sprang into space and hit a soaring drive against the crossbar from just inside the area.
England gave the ball way too easily and worked in their build-up game. England looked rattled and Pulisic tested their frayed nerves with a header that went wide.
In a rare moment of threat from England, Saka’s pass found Mason Mount and Chelsea’s midfielder’s low drive from 20 yards brought a first save from US keeper Matt Turner.
Tyler Adams embodied the spirit of the USA that was such a contrast to the lethargy of England and gritted his teeth in a tackle on Saka, won the ball and then roared with joy.
England got stuck in first gear, but Kane almost grabbed an undeserved winner in stoppage time when he headed wide of Luke Shaw’s free-kick.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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