The Three Lions of England and United States played out a 0-0 draw in their second Group B clash at the Qatar 2022 World Cup on Friday.
The Americans are now unbeaten in three meetings with England at the World Cup. There previous two clashes ended in a 1-0 win for USA at the 1950 edition and a 1-1 draw in South Africa 2010.
England went into Friday’s tie basking in the euphoria of their 6-2 hammering of Iran while USA played 1-1 with Wales.
It is still all to play for heading into the final group games as England will face Wales and USA battle Iran in a must win encounter.
The first big chance fell to Harry Kane on 10 minutes who saw his goal bound strike from Bukayo Saka’s cutback blocked for a corner.
Also Read: 2022 World Cup: Okocha Thumbs Up Senegal Over Victory Against Qatar
Six minutes later Luke Shaw tried a shot from range which USA keeper Matt Turner saved.
Weston McKennie was presented with USA’s best chance on 26 minutes only to blaze his effort from a delightful cross over the bar inside the box.
In the 33rd minute Christian Pulisic collected a pass adjusted well before unleashing a left foot shot which hit the cross bar.
With four minutes left in the first half Sergino Dest went on a mazy run towards England box but his attempted curler was blocked by the retreating Harry Maguire for a corner.
One minute of added time in the first half Mason Mount received a pass from Raheem Sterling and hit a low right foot shot which Turner palmed away for a corner kick.
USA continued to create decent chances and almost profited from one of such chances on 58 minutes only for Jude Bellingham to cut out a dangerous cross into England box.
On 66 minutes, at the other end Saka bombed forward and sent in a cross but it did not trouble Turner.
And with three minutes left on the clock substitute Marcus Rashford sent in a curler which Turner easily stopped.
2 Comments
I watched and was in awe at the level of development of the US national footbal team. They don’t have super stars every where on the pitch but they have a system and a pattern. Great cohesion and team. In fact I see the USA winning the world cup before Nigeria or any African countries if they keep up the momentum I witness today. This is a country without football culture like Nigeria or Ghana but how they have embrassed football wholeheartedly is really interesting. What is really wrong with African countries . so much talents but nothing to show.
I have said it on this forum before and will reiterate it.
The likes of US, Japan and Mexico (and by extension Asia and North America) will win the world cup before an African country does.
Not even Senegal under its current technical leadership, with the best players and team in Africa could have matched England the way the USA did.
Let some illiterate continue to mouth emotions (determination/self belief) over tried and tested methods.
Even FIFA as a body has adopted modern technology in improving the game, one of which is the offside technology that is being deployed at this world cup which has so far proven to be super efficient.