Published
Qatar 2022No goals for England and the USA
The British couldn’t get past a very good American team. Qualification will wait.
Harry Kane and Tyler Adams are fighting, no one will win.
AFP extension
After the initial fireworks at the expense of Iran (6-2), England disappointed this time by conceding a 0-0 draw against the United States, on Friday in al-Khor during the 2nd day of group B of the World Cup.
Disappointing but with favorable sacrifices before the match against Wales next Tuesday on the last day of the group stage.
The United States, for their part, will play the qualifier on the same day, in a highly political duel, against Iran which for the moment precedes them by one point, in second place, behind England.
Uninspired English
Friday training Gareth Southgate looked uninspired, as did captain Harry Kane.
Uncertain weather due to an ankle injury, the Tottenham forward got off to a good start but failed to shine during a lackluster match.
Kane, on the other hand, created the first chance on ten minutes when he checked in Bukayo Saka’s cross from the penalty spot, but his shot was deflected by American defender Walker Zimmerman.
After twenty minutes of fairly clear English domination, the match was fairly even and the Americans in turn were very close to taking the lead.
Pulisic introduces himself
In the 26th minute, Lille striker Timothy Weah sent a pass to Weston McKennie whose half-volley from the penalty spot went past Jordan Pickford’s goal.
The Everton goalkeeper suffered another scare in the 33rd minute when American Christian Pulisic, Chelsea midfielder, fired a shot from the left corner of the penalty area which crashed into the crossbar of the English goal.
Pushed, like on this header from Pulisic close to the winger (43rd), England experienced a late-half start, with two chances in quick succession: a recovery from Bukayo Saka from Luke Shaw’s cross ( 45°) and a nice shot from Mason Mount on the surface, deflected for a corner by Matt Turner (45+1), Arsenal’s American goalkeeper.
The last breath
The scenario was almost identical in the second half, with the British fighting against the Americans led by an excellent Christian Pulisic, more than ever freed from the weight of the captain’s armband and made like a simple soldier at the service of his team.
But England, in a last flicker, nearly had the last word in injury time, on a free-kick from the left by Luke Shaw for Kane whose header missed the frame (93′). Day without for the captain of the Three Lions.
(AFP extension)
