Coach Gareth Southgate’s men did not make use of their opening game performance, did not even win their third game at the World Cup with the USA and did not use the opportunity to secure advancement early.
The basic group in Rajján closes against Wales on Tuesday. The Americans will play a direct fight for a place in the play-offs in Doha with Iran.
“We know we can play much better. But the draw isn’t bad, no game is easy in the tournament. After our first duel, maybe some people think we’ll overwhelm everyone, but it won’t be like that. We met a good opponent, but we wanted to three points,” said England striker Harry Kane.
“We had a very solid performance. In some stages of the match we controlled the game and created chances. We could have won. Even if we didn’t, we showed confidence,” added American midfielder Christian Pulisic.
Kane fails to score again, Pulisic hits the crossbar
Favorites Albion were only better in the first quarter of an hour. In the 10th minute, after a selfless pass from Saka, Kane closed in an ideal position in the penalty area, but defender Zimmerman blocked his dangerous shot.
The Americans gradually took the reins into their own hands and a great chance was squandered by McKennie in the 25th minute, who completely alone fired over the Pickford shrine from seven metres. Moments later, Pulisic hit the crossbar with a hidden shot. At the other end, Turner kicked a hard shot from Mount from the edge of the big box.
Early in the second half, the US footballers built up a crushing lead and crushed last year’s European Championship silver team in its sixteenth year. The English also defended a number of corner kicks but for a long time looked toothless in attack.
However, their triumph could have been decided by captain Kane in stoppage time but he sent his header wide of the post in an open chance. “We should have been cooler late on like against Iran. We created two or three chances that we didn’t exploit. But the clean sheet puts us in a very good position in the group,” said Kane.
Albion scored their 12th goalless draw at the World Championships, more than any other team. The Americans extended their winless streak to five games and have not beaten a European opponent for the 11th consecutive time at the World Cup.
