England needed a win to all but confirm their place in the second round of the FIFA World Cup but couldn’t get past a spirited USA side.
Gareth Southgate named an unchanged side from the Three Lions opening 6-2 victory over Iran and would’ve hoped for a better performance from his team against the Americans. The USA looked a lot sharper than their English counterparts and matched them stride for stride on every blade of grass.
At certain periods of the game, it was wave after wave of attacks from the Americans but they couldn’t land a killer blow on Jordan Pickford‘s goal. Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic came close when his fierce shot smacked against the cross bar and USA coach Gregg Berhalter must’ve though the goal would finally come when a low cross from Sergino Dest found Weston McKennie unmarked in the box. Unfortunately for the team, the Juventus midfielder missed the goal sending his shot high into the stands.
Most of the game was played in the middle third of the pitch as both teams lacked a bit of composure in the final third.
Harry Kane had a chance to win the game in the 94th-minute but his header whistled well wide of Matt Turner‘s goal.
Both teams head into the last round of group stage games with all to play for. England need to avoid a four goal defeat against Wales to reach the last 16, a win would guarantee them top spot in the group.
For the United States, they would need to beat Iran in their final group game to qualify.
