Soccer-England undergo actuality verify in 0-0 draw with U.S By Reuters

By Martyn Herman

AL KHOR, Qatar (Reuters) -England suffered a sobering actuality verify as they have been outplayed for lengthy durations by a youthful United States aspect in a tense 0-0 draw of their second World Cup Group B recreation on Friday.

A 6-2 thrashing of Iran on Monday despatched followers’ hopes hovering however Gareth Southgate’s aspect have been lucky to not undergo a repeat of their 1950 World Cup calamity in opposition to the Individuals.

They’ll nonetheless qualify for the final 16 in the event that they keep away from a heavy defeat by Wales of their ultimate group recreation, however they have been greeted with boos on the ultimate whistle and can want an unlimited enchancment if they’re to have a deep run.

The U.S. produced a high-tempo show however could reside to rue not placing away an England aspect caught in second gear, though they may attain the final 16 for fifth time since 1994 in the event that they beat Iran.

“A draw’s not the worst factor however I felt for stretches of the sport we confirmed dominance,” Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, considered one of 5 England-based gamers in the united statesstarting line-up, stated.

He struck the crossbar in a primary half his staff dominated whereas the excellent Weston McKennie tormented England and spurned a wonderful first-half likelihood.

England captain Harry Kane despatched a late header large that will have given England a primary World Cup win over the U.S. on the third try however it might have been a travesty.

Whereas the consequence, and efficiency, was desperately disappointing, England high the group on 4 factors and stay within the field seat to succeed in the final 16.

Iran, who snatched a late win over Wales, have three factors with the U.S. on two factors and Wales on one. All prospects are nonetheless open within the group subsequent Tuesday.

“Wasn’t one of the best efficiency for certain,” Kane, who stays two behind Wayne Rooney’s England report 53 targets, stated.

“Good spells with the ball, however we did not fairly have the ultimate product. A draw is not dangerous for us. We have been enjoying a tricky staff and we transfer on.”

For the primary time in 54 video games England supervisor Southgate named an unchanged beginning line-up however they have been unrecognisable to the free-flowing aspect that demolished Iran.

NO IMPACT

They lacked zip and the sight of teenaged midfielder Jude Bellingham, who earned rave critiques in opposition to Iran, making no impression and being changed by veteran Jordan Henderson within the second half nearly summed it up.

A day after Thanksgiving there was a carnival environment in tent-like Al Bayt Stadium earlier than kickoff.

The Individuals took some time to settle and have been lucky when Kane’s shot from Bukayo Saka’s cross was blocked by Walker Zimmerman and flew simply large.

After {that a} nimble and good U.S. aspect took cost.

Haji Wright, the one change to Gregg Berhalter’s line-up from the opening draw with Wales, headed large and England had an enormous let-off when McKennie half-volleyed over.

Juventus’s McKennie, sporting a crimson, white and blue hairdo, then instigated one other transfer with a surging run earlier than the ball was labored throughout to Pulisic who crashed an angled left-foot drive in opposition to the bar within the thirty third minute.

The probabilities stored flowing for a slick American aspect earlier than halftime with Sergino Dest threatening after a weaving run and Pulisic scuffing a header large.

England lastly awoke from their slumber simply earlier than the break with Bukayo Saka scooping a shot over earlier than U.S. keeper Matt Turner was pressured into his first save of the match, pushing Mount’s drilled low shot across the put up.

Southgate resisted the temptation to make modifications at halftime however the sample shortly resumed with Pulisic having a shot deflected large and from the nook England defender Harry Maguire made an important intervention with Tim Ream lurking.

He lastly turned to his bench for inspiration and introduced on Henderson and the mercurial Jack Grealish however to little impact as the sport fizzled out into England’s twelfth goalless attracts on the World Cup, essentially the most of any nation within the historical past of the event.