A frustrated England team were held to a goalless draw against the United States in their second game of the World Cup.
Gareth SouthgateTheir men top Group B with four points after their previous win over Iran but were hoping to secure a place in the round of 16 with one match left.
Only a defeat to Wales on Tuesday by four goals or more could stop England from progressing.
Speaking after the game, captain Harry Kane said: “It wasn’t our best performance. We had some good plays but we didn’t quite have the final product today. A great clean sheet put us in a great place in the group.
“The match against Iran was the complete opposite. Today we had two or three good chances but we couldn’t take them.
“We knew we could play better than that, but it was a draw in the World Cup – no game is easy. I think after the first game people thought we were going to beat every team that we didn’t have. We’re fighting, but that’s not the case.” “
He had a chance early in the first half when Bukayo Saka passed the ball to Harry Kane from 10 yards out, before the captain’s sunken finish was saved by the US’s Walker Zimmerman.
The United States had the most chances in the first half, narrowly scoring in the 32nd minute when Christian Pulisic hit the crossbar, although England ended the first half on a strong note when Mason Mount made a clever run in the box. banned, a first attempt was blocked behind United States goalkeeper Matt Turner.
The second half was a tense 45 minutes for England fans, with the United States continuing to pressure Southgate’s men repeatedly until Jack Grealish came on and reinvigorated England’s attack.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford tried to test the US defense after Kane played him a nice ball, but the strike was not intended and it was an easy save.
He missed a big late-game opportunity after Kane’s last-minute effort sent his header from Luke Shaw’s free-kick wide wide.
Kane vs Tim Ream of America
‘We’re not cruel enough’
“We didn’t play our best,” admitted centre-back Harry Maguire.
He continued: “But in the end it was a point and it got us a solid place in the group. World Cup matches are never easy. They are a good team.
“We weren’t ruthless or clinical enough for the last third of the game, but we kept a clean sheet and we look forward to the game against Wales.”
Jude Bellingham of England, challenge for the ball with Antonee Robinson of America
Southgate said it was “exactly the kind of game I thought it would be…really tough, a good opponent”.
He added: “I know it will be difficult for us to repeat such form after hitting such high form, so I am pleased with how the players have applied themselves.”
Southgate said that although the quality in the final third could have been better, the players have shown “great resilience to continue defending”.
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Former player and sports pundit Roy Keane said he was “surprised” that Southgate did not field midfielder Phil Foden in the second half.
“Gareth will have his reasons, he is the coach, he understands the players better than anyone, but we all watched the game and thought about Foden, and you can totally expect Foden. offer options,” he told ITV.
Boos and taunts could be heard throughout the match in Qatar, which is to be expected after a goalless game.
US and UK supporters cheering on their teams
England have yet to beat the US at a major tournament.
The Three Lions opened the campaign with a convincing victory over Iran and will aim to add three points when they face Wales on Tuesday night.
Wales can’t seem to get out of the latter group lost to Iran early today 2-0 and a 1-1 draw against USA Last Monday.
