Harry Maguire of England controls the ball under pressure from Younes Mussah of the United States during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA in Al Khor, Qatar on November 25, 2022. Photo Credit: Getty Images
England faced a grim reality check on Friday after being outplayed for long periods by a young United States team in a tense 0-0 draw in their second World Cup Group B game.
Monday’s 6-2 thrashing of Iran raised fans’ hopes but Gareth Southgate’s side were lucky not to repeat the 1950 World Cup disaster against the Americans.
Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic hit the crossbar for the United States as they failed to take any first-half chances against an England side stuck in second gear.
England captain Harry Kane was restricted to half chances, while the closest England came to scoring was a Mason Mount effort on the stroke of halftime.
While the result, and performance, was disappointing, England finished top of the group with four points and remained in the box seat to reach the last 16.
The United States, who drew with Wales on Monday, have two points and will go into their last game against Iran knowing a win could take them into the last 16.
Iran are second on three points while Wales are bottom on one point and any result is likely to go into the final round of play even when England take on Wales.
England manager Gareth Southgate named an unchanged starting line-up for the first time in 54 games, but before halftime they were unfamiliar with a team that conceded six goals to Iran in their opening match.
They had their first chance as Kane’s goalbound shot was blocked by Walker Zimmermann and flew wide, but they then handed control to a young American side featuring five players who plied their trade in England.
Haji Wright, Greg Berhalter’s only change to the line-up from the draw with Wales, went wide and England were let off heavily by a half-volley over from Weston McKennie.
Juventus’ McKennie, sporting a red, white and blue hairdo, then unleashed another move before crossing the ball to Pulisic, who crashed a left-footed drive against the bar in the 33rd minute.
Chances kept flowing for a crafty American side before half-time, with Sergino Dest threatening after a dashing run and Pulisic sending a header wide.
England finally woke from their slumber just before the break and Bukayo Saka forced American keeper Matt Turner to make his first save of the match, pushing Mount’s drilled low shot around the post.
Southgate resisted the temptation to make a change at halftime, but the pattern quickly resumed with Pulisic sending a shot wide and England defender Harry Maguire from the corner making a crucial interception from Tim Ream’s hide.
He eventually turned to his bench and brought on experienced midfielder Jordan Henderson and the mercurial Jack Grealish, but made little impact as the game deteriorated.