The much-anticipated match between England and the United States in Group B of the World Cup ended in a goalless draw. Five 0-0 games have been seen in the tournament so far, i.e. every fourth match has ended goalless.
In the opening match, England clearly beat Iran 6–2, but against the United States, the performance of last year’s EC finalist was really blocked. The crowd at Al Bayt Stadium gave their feedback to the white shirts by booing the team loudly after the final whistle.
Star striker Harry Kane admitted that the performance of a rather uneventful evening was not the best possible, but the result helped the team get closer to the next place.
– This was a completely different game compared to the first one, and we faced a well-organized team. A draw is not the end of the world. There are no easy games in the World Cup, and maybe people thought we were going to win every game, Kane defended to ITV.
England had eight goal-scoring attempts in the match, and is set to share the country’s lowest tally in the entire 2000s at the World Cup. Expected goal was 0.48, while the United States’ reading was 0.93.
Ex defender Gary Neville saw that England was weaker than the USA, especially in midfield.
– Tournaments are rarely just dancing with roses, but this was weak. Everyone is disappointed and everyone expected much better from the team, TV pundit Neville told ITV.
– At times, the midfield just didn’t work, and the team looked tired.
“There will be problems if the structure does not improve”
Sports expert Jonne Kunnas stated that England’s biggest problems were in the structure of the game and positioning. The ball movement was slow and easy to defend.
– They had too many players out of form. They left the bottom pockets of the playmaking area empty, and at the same time there were too few players in the top pockets. There were no countermoves, and when the ball is moved and there are no players in the lower pockets, especially in the wing areas, the passing directions are only up or down.
– In the United States, the lines were really close, but it was more of a structural problem than anything else. Of course, England now has four points, but there will be problems in the future if the structure does not improve.
Kunnas, Neville and the ex-striker Michael Owen wondered the head coach Gareth Southgate exchanges. Especially Manchester City’s all-rounder by Phil Foden being benched for the entire game was amazing.
Foden was replaced by Southgate Raheem Sterling’s and of Jude Bellingham replaced in the second episode Jack Grealish and Jordan Henderson. The third shift was used by switching Bukayo Saka to Marcus Rashford.
– Amazing that we have used fourteen players and our most talented player is still on the bench, Owen tweeted (You’re moving to another service).
– The fact that Foden wasn’t at the opening and didn’t even come in from the bench was interesting. I was really disappointed he didn’t play, Neville stumbled.
Kunnas sees that the USA match would have been perfect for the qualities of the 22-year-old Foden’s attacking end.
– I don’t know what bad Foden has done to Southgate. He is the best player in England to play in tight spaces between the lines. If the team wants to go far, players like him are needed with a good feel for the game.
“It’s a long way to the championship”
England played in the final match of the European Championship at home last year, but the performances of recent times have been tentative. In the League of Nations, the team fell to the B level, when the group could only collect three draw points from their six matches.
The team that finished fourth in the previous World Cup in Russia was not among the hottest champion favorites before the games, and Friday’s performance at least did not raise stocks. Of course, the team has a place in the next round, and only a clear defeat against Wales can knock the Three Lions group out of the quarterfinals.
– The Iran game made us expect more for everything, and they were much better in that game, of course, also because of the opponent. Now the challenges that they had in the past were visible again, Kunnas stated.
– It’s a long way to the championship, that’s quite clear. Spain and Brazil, for example, were much more convincing also in terms of the structure of the game.
However, development can happen during the tournament.
– The days should now be put to good use, and that is not an idle place if things are recognized there, Kunnas reminded.
Striker legend, TV personality Gary Lineker threw a ball on Twitter (you’re moving to another service) thinking of continuing in the direction of Southgate.
– The performance was weak, but that sometimes happens at the World Cup. The big question with such a talented group is whether the manager can change the game tactically and through substitutions when the game is not working.
England lead Group B by four points ahead of Tuesday night’s finals.