England – United States. Disappointing, the Three Lions are content with a sad draw against Americans willing but not enough killers in front of goal. If the British remain at the top of Group B, they will have to wait for qualification.
23:00 – Thank you
Thank you all for accompanying us to follow this draw between England and the UNITED STATES. We give you an appointment in four days for the last day of group B.
22:55 – Update on Group B
At the end of the first two games of Group B, England are in the lead with 4 points (+ 4), followed by Iran (3 pts, – 2), the United States (2 pts, 0) and of Wales (1 pt, – 2). Everyone can still qualify for the round of 16. Thus England will be able to settle for a draw or even a defeat if it does not exceed a three-goal gap against Wales, which in the latter case would certainly see the eliminatory phase (a victory combined with a draw in the other match would also suffice, editor’s note). For their part, the United States and Iran will have their destiny in their hands. Advantage nevertheless to the Persians who will be satisfied with a draw when the Americans will have to win.
22:45 – A dull draw, the summary of the match
The fireworks against Iran augured the best for this second match against the United States, promise of a new offensive orgy made of speed and sequences. Instead of a flamboyant second act, the English appeared extinguished, without idea or desire, trapped by a much more motivated opponent. Yet the start of the match had drawn a semblance of English domination punctuated by this deflected shot from Kane in the area. It would be one of the only situations in the opening 45 minutes for the Three Lions, with Mount’s uncontrolled strike before the break forcing Turner to relax to keep a clean sheet.
A meager result but logical because after 10 minutes of running in, the Americans have taken the upper hand in the great widths. McKennie et al showed more determination and impact in duels like the Musah-Adams duo. The English retreated and found themselves cornered in their half of the field, unable to come out cleanly, returning all the balls. The American waves succeeded each other at increasingly close intervals, especially on the left side of the English defense where Shaw, not helped by Sterling, took on water against Dest, McKennie and Weah. It was on a good sequence that he himself had initiated, that the midfielder of Juventus found himself in the heart of the surface to take over a cross from the Lille striker in a half-volley. Unfortunately for him and the Americans, he didn’t lay down enough on his shot and the ball flew into the bays of Al Bayt Stadium. A warning shot since a few seconds later, lightning struck. On the left side, Pulisic received the ball in the area after a movement started by a rush from McKennie on the right. The Chelsea striker stared at Trippier and unleashed a sudden strike. His shot sliced through the air, overtaking Pickford, before shaking the English crossbar. We thought then that the United States would overcome the English resistance but there was nothing left or at least more to eat, if not this action by Dest, transplanting from the right wing after a clever backheel from Weah, blocked by Maguire, who did not fully bite into the feint from the side.
Indeed, the sequel was hardly exciting. If the Americans totally controlled the pace and camped in the opposing camp on the restart, it was only sterile domination and futile corners. Opposite, England seemed to be absent, little concerned by the events and cut in three, Stones and Maguire often getting annoyed by the lack of movement of their partners on their rare phases of possession. Late entries from Grealish and Henderson revived some energy and Kane was offered a winning point from a free-kick but his header went wide. A good summary of an evening to forget when the promising young shoots of the English garden have closed their buds. Author of a double against Iran, Saka never made the difference, when Bellingham was transparent in the middle, like Rice. As he had not ignited after the initial card, Southgate will coldly analyze this draw which will give him material to work on to revive his people before the final meeting of the group stage against the Welsh neighbors. A fratricidal match where an exploit by the band in Bale could overthrow the Kingdom. For their part, the Americans no longer have a choice and will have to defeat Iran or risk saying goodbye to the World Cup.
22:08 – McKennie: “We deserved more”
“I think we deserved more than this point that we won. We are proud of ourselves. Everyone thought England were going to crush us and we wanted to prove that we know how to play. As you can see, we have dominated and only missed one ball in the back of the net. We take a point and now we have to move on.”McKennie said after his team’s draw against England.
22:05 – Kane: “Not our best game”
“It wasn’t our best game. We should have been more clinical. We had a few chances but they were missed. USA played well and gave us problems. We know we can play better but in the World Cup it’s not easy. We are in a good position for the future, despite everything.”reacted Harry Kane who with his all-English phlegm wanted to retain the positive despite the sad performance of his people against the United States.
22:00 – The English still frustrated
Decidedly the United States does not succeed in England in the World Cup. For the third time, the Three Lions failed to beat their American rivals, conceding a draw as in 2010 (1-1). In 1950, in Brazil, they had even lost against a team made up of amateurs (0-1).
21:51 – It’s over at Al Bayt Stadium (0-0)!
At the end of a rather disappointing meeting, despite American envy, England and the United States separated with a goalless draw (0-0). Far from their brilliant opening performance against Iran, the Three Lions appeared borrowed, unable to pick up speed and destabilize the solid American bloc. They also suffered more events and could have lost if Pulisic had not sent his shot on the bar before the break.
21:51 – Kane saw him in it
On a free kick from the left and perfectly brushed by Shaw, Kane wins in his duel with Ream and places his head at 6 meters. Alone, the English captain crosses his attempt too much, which passes to the left of Turner’s goal. He holds his head in disbelief.
21:49 – Maguire crushes his head
On a corner shot from the right, Maguire takes over his defender but pricks his head too much which arrives in slow motion in the arms of Turner.
21:47 – Rice cuts the action
The Americans throw their last forces into battle and Robinson once again ventures into his left lane. The ball travels well and crosses the field to the right side where Moore sees a partner back in the box. His center is pressed but Rice has read the situation and steps in.
21:44 – A soft occasion
The Americans have dropped in intensity and this allows the Three Lions to find themselves more easily, especially close to the surface. Grealish heels in and finds Rashford at the left corner. The Manchester United player takes his chance but his inside right is too soft to worry Turner.
21:42 – A pointless free kick
At 30 yards on the left side, Shaw wraps between the goal and the penalty spot. Ream intervenes in front of Maguire who was trailing behind his back.
21:40 – Two new changes for Team USA
With 8 minutes remaining in regulation time, Berhalter continues to renew his strength by replacing Wright and Weah with Sargent and Reyna. Post for post.
21:39 – Turner reigns in the air
Mount crashes and tries to give rhythm to the British offensive but the relay of Kane in front of the surface slows down the movement. He shifts Trippier to the right, whose cross goes into a bell at the far post. There, Turner jumps higher than the two opposing attackers and captures.
21:37 – Rashford enters the track
In the wake of the American changes, Southgate sends Rashford to the field to replace a Saka, not to his advantage.
21:36 – First American changes
Berhalter makes his first tactical adjustments. Less than a quarter of an hour from the end of regulation time, he calls back on the bench McKennie and Dest to launch the promising Aaronson and Moore.
21:34 – Saka in the hard
So twirling against Iran, Saka is not to his advantage this evening and cannot pick up speed as on this clumsy deflection on the right side where he concedes the goal kick, countered by Dest.
21:32 – Pulisic stuck
Pulisic is served at the top of the box but when controlling sees Stones and Henderson surround him. There are no more spaces for the Americans.
21:29 – Kane pinched
Grealish and Henderson’s entries gave the Brits a boost. The Manchester City player likes balls and manages to overflow on the left before finding Kane in the area. The Tottenham striker tries to turn around but McKennie and Musah prevent him from passing.
21:27 – Two but not three
Grealish inherits his first ball on the left. The Manchester City player provokes, plays with Dest and Zimmerman but fails on the third American defender in the area. A pass might have been a good solution rather than getting locked in a difficult slalom.
21:26 – Double change for England
Southgate are aware their side are out of sorts tonight and make their first two substitutions in the 68th minute. He takes out Sterling, transparent, and Bellingham, off, to launch Grealish and Henderson.
21:24 – Barren domination
Since returning from the locker room, the Americans have been the bosses in the field and have forced the English to regroup in defense. Despite this domination, Pulisic and consort fail to be really dangerous and risk regretting it 25 minutes from the end of regulation time.
21:22 – Americans can’t do it
Pulisic harangues the many American supporters before hitting a new corner, on the right this time. His ball is out but flees the area of truth.