England 0-0 USA: Three Lions miss chance to seal place in Last 16
England missed the chance to wrap up their place in the Last 16 after being held to a disappointing 0-0 draw with the USA on Friday night.
After the euphoria of the 6-2 win against Iran in their Group B opener, Gareth Southgate’s side underwhelmed for the most past at the Al Bayt Stadium.
It was in fact the US who came closest to claiming the win when captain Cristian Pulisic struck the crossbar in the first half.
Emboldened by their emphatic victory on Monday, England started brightly against Gregg Berhalter’s side as Bukayo Saka set up captain Harry Kane for a chance that was blocked at close range on 10 minutes.
England captain Kane had recovered from a foot injury suffered against Iran to lead the line, but that early effort proved to be one of few opportunities that came his way.
From that point onwards, the USA took charge.
Striker Haji Wright, the one change to the line up from the team that had started the 1-1 draw with Wales on Monday, headed wide from a decent opening with the States’ first chance of the evening.
Not long after, midfielder Weston McKennie wasted a glorious opportunity to give his side the lead as he blazed over the crossbar from inside the England penalty area.
However, the closest to a decisive goal that either side came was on 33 minutes when Chelsea man Pulisic almost caught out Jordan Pickford from a tight angle, only to see his powerful effort hit the woodwork.
England almost found the goal that would have secured progress from the group on the stroke of half-time, as first Saka blazed over from a Luke Shaw cutback and then Mason Mount forced Matt Turner into his first save of the night with a powerful effort from the edge of the box.
The second half was one of few chances for either side, with England seemingly comfortable to take a point and extend their lead at the top of the group and the US happy to take their chances in their final fixture against Iran.
Kane very nearly stole the points and the headlines in the dying moments of injury-time, but his header from a Luke Shaw free-kick flew wide of Turner’s post.
England will now need to get something from Tuesday’s meeting with Wales to be sure of their place in the knockout stages of this World Cup.
