AL KHOR, Qatar — The USA and England played with a 0-0 draw in the group B encounter at 2022 World Cup on Friday, leaving both sides to work to advance to the round of 16.
The US is the better side in a game that lacks clear chances. The closest threat came when Christian Pulisic hit the crossbar in the middle of the first half, but neither side could break the deadlock. The chances they had in the first half dried up in the second, leaving both sides walking away with a point each.
Both teams will play again on Tuesday (USA v Iran, England v Wales) as all teams are alive to progress to the knockout stages.
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rapid response
first. The United States is plagued by poor finishing, but the defense is still standing
In a match that many assumed the United States would lose, the Americans performed reliably. Solid defense, did a lot to neutralize England’s midfield. While the Three Lions hold the ball at 58-42%, the US has enough solid magic to keep the game from going one-sided.
The United States even managed to create an expected goal advantage (0.88-0.55), but inaccuracies in front of goal – again – as well as some defensive appearances. color, which means the game ends goalless.
Iranwin 2-0 Wales earlier in the day had put US coach Gregg Berhalter’s troops in a strange predicament. Should the US try to win or save itself for the group stage final against Iran? Berhalter has made his intentions clear, making only one change in the starting lineup, with the striker haji wright replace Joshua Sargent at the top.
He was the first to settle down, with a central defender Walker Zimmerman provide a key block on a Harry Kane shot 10 minutes into the game. But the United States got into the game, and thanks to some sharp flanking play from Destination Serginostart carving out opportunities.
A great opportunity came in the 26th minute when Timothy Weah Find Weston McKennie in the box, but the midfielder’s first effort went over the bar. It wasn’t the last time the United States came close. Pulisic hit the crossbar in the 33rd minute, and his dangerous header from Dest’s cross just before half-time went wide of the post.
The second half saw more aggressive attacks from the US, as Pulisic repeatedly found space in the transition, and while forced to create a number of corner kick opportunities, jordan pickford was not actually tested in the British target. England, meanwhile, began to enjoy longer possession but couldn’t do much to really intimidate the keeper. Matt Turner on the other side of the field.
This is due to the outstanding defensive effort of the United States. Whatever hangover Walker Zimmerman may have suffered after conceding a penalty against Wales is not at all obvious tonight. Tim Ram stood out again, like Tyler Adams in the US midfield.
The United States’ inability to convert the opportunities it created was a transition from the game against Wales, and has so far defined this World Cup at least for the Americans. That’s the kind of trend they’ll need to adjust to moving forward.
2. He’s inferior but still holds his strength
Expectations have certainly risen as England thrashed Iran 6-2 in their opening game earlier this week, and perhaps too high. America defended organized and tenacious, and England’s central defenders Harry Maguire and John Stones seems strangely passive when trying to find out-of-the-way passes.
The Three Lions threatened at the end of the first half when Mount MasonTurner’s shot forced Turner to make an excellent save, but overall, England struggled. That said, the stepping stone that the Three Lions created from the first match means that they can invite the US to continue and not take too much risk.
But it all led to a rather lackluster performance by England. Mount’s much heralded attack trident, Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka has been kept fairly quiet outside of Mount’s aforementioned endeavor. The central duo of Jude Bellingham and rice holds many balls but is not effective in promoting attack.
Coach Gareth Southgate tried to improve things by bringing in Jack Grealish and Jordan Henderson Sterling and Bellingham respectively, but it did not increase England’s fortunes. That was until Kane had a good chance in stoppage time, but he could only head it Luke Shawwide free kick.
This match will certainly not have too many highlights of England. However, England are still top of the table with 4 points, and will face a Welsh team that froze in the final minutes of the match against Iran. People expect
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2:01
Mark Ogden says Phil Foden must start the game against Wales after not having played time against the USMNT.
3. For the United States, Iran plays all that matters now
While the United States may have earned some respect in this match, it can also be seen as another missed opportunity for the team, which is currently in a must-win game against Iran to advance. into the knockout round.
On the one hand, the nearness of the final match is in line with pre-tournament predictions and, to some extent, the United States controls its own destiny. But there is precious little wiggle room. The situation also showed that there were points to be scored in the Americans’ first two World Cup matches and they failed to capitalize. If they do, the pressure they face won’t be so intense.
It was a scenario somewhat reminiscent of 2010, when the US needed a victory first Algeria and finally got it thanks to the now famous winner of Landon Donovan.
But in Iran, the United States now faces a very different kind of adversary. The political conspiracies that come with the match will be huge, meaning motivation won’t matter. Elevated by what should have been a crowd supporting them against the US, Iran will also generate a huge wave of confidence after scoring two late goals to beat Wales.
Can the US get the job done? It is certainly possible. The talent is clearly there. But in terms of the whole team, the sharpness in attack is not high enough. That will need to be lifted if this team is to continue to advance.
Player Rating
England: Pickford 6, Shaw 6, Maguire 7, Stones 5, Trippier 5, Rice 6, Bellingham 5, Sterling 4, Mount 5, Saka 5, Kane 5.
Prep: Grealish 5, Henderson 6, Rashford 5
USA: Turner 7, Robinson 5, Ream 7, Zimmerman 7, Dest 6, Musah 6, Adams 7, McKennie 7, Pulisic 6, Wright 5, Weah 6.
Prep: Aaronson 5, Moore 5, Sargent 5, Reyna 5
Best and worst performers
BEST: Tyler Adams, USA.
Again, Adams did a little bit of everything, but at a high level, splitting plays and connecting his passes consistently.
WORST: Raheem Sterling, England.
At no time did Sterling appear to dominate the game. Just a really subdued performance overall.
Highlights and remarkable moments
Christian Pulisic’s 33-minute shot wide of the post was the best of several chances for the United States.
WHAT’S Owl of Pulisic!!!
USMNT is so close to the top! pic.twitter.com/HTAs0gyshf
– FOX Football (@FOXSoccer) November 25, 2022
Here, Weston McKennie’s pass into the middle was found by Tyler Adams, who passed the ball to the left for Pulisic. His shot beat Jordan Pickford but couldn’t get past the woodwork.
After the game: What players and coaches say
US manager Gregg Berhalter, told Fox: “I think both teams have worked hard, sometimes both teams make it difficult for each other and all are happy with the effort. Anytime you can get knocked out at the World Cup, it’s a challenge. good thing.”
Berhalter on what to improve: “I want to see goals – on set pieces. We are proud but our job is not done. We have to win on Tuesday and we know the five points will get us in. We have to focus on five points.”
England defender Harry Maguire, told ITV: “It wasn’t our best — it was a point and gave us a solid place in the table. They’re a good team, playing at a high tempo. We had to work hard. and maybe win at the last minute.”
He forwarded Harry Kane, to ITV: “Clinically different, completely opposite to Iran. We had two or three chances and didn’t pass it up. We played a tough team and we went through.”
US forward Christian Pulisic, to Fox: “I think there were definitely a lot of positives. We had long periods, even in the first half, when we were dominant and created some chances; unfortunately, we didn’t. We couldn’t finish some of them, but we controlled the game quite well, and drawing with them was obviously a pretty good result, but we felt that we could even win the game. “
Key stats (provided by ESPN Stats & Information)
– The United States is still looking for a World Cup win against a team that had previously raised it: five losses and now three draws against teams with stars on their jerseys.
– England are looking for their first win against the USA on the big stage, as they currently have one loss and two draws against the Americans.
– The last team to hold England in single digits in a World Cup match was another CONCACAF country. Costa Rica also mitigated England’s offensive power in 2014 in a 0-0 draw (eight shots).
Next
England: Finishing the group stage first Gareth Bale and Wales on Tuesday. He still has a lot of work to do to make it to the round of 16 – the Three Lions need to beat or draw their neighbors. A loss will complicate things.
USA: Take on Iran on Tuesday in their group stage final in what will be an intense match. Despite Friday’s positive results, the United States needs to beat Iran to advance to the round of 16.
