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England missed an opportunity to book their place in the Premier League Globalism FA Cup last 16 as Gareth Southgate’s side produced a poor performance in their 0-0 draw with the USA on Friday.
Southgate’s men would have secured progress from Group B with a win in their second match of the tournament, but they have rarely troubled a resolute American side.
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Having trounced Iran 6-2 on Monday, England lacked the urgency they showed in their opening match and were booed throughout.
They only managed one shot on goal and could have easily conceded in the first half when the USA were in control for long periods at Home Stadium.
For the third time in three World Cup meetings with the United States, England failed to live up to their status as favourites.
After a horrific defeat in the 1950 tournament and a 1-1 draw in 2010, this was another American challenge against England, quelling some of the uproar around the Three Lions after defeating Iran.
Although it was a very disappointing performance from England, they still controlled their own destiny.
A draw in their final group match against Wales on 29 November would ensure England progressed to the knockout stages, while a win would seal first place.
The United States, who drew their first two matches, play Iran on the same day knowing a win will send them to the Round of 16.
Greg Berhalter’s group is the second-youngest in a World Cup, but a day after America celebrated Thanksgiving, they left a jaded England looking like they had indulged in too much turkey.
With Harry Kane and Harry Maguire recovering from ankle injury and illness respectively, England have selected an unchanged side for the first time since their 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia.
But while England controlled the ball against shy Iran from the opening moments, they found the United States more willing to press higher up the field.
England struggled
USA’s desire to field England briefly left space behind them and Judd Bellingham’s fuzzy run and Bukayo Saka’s freed pass down the right-hand side of the US area.
Saka’s cross reached Kane, whose shot on goal was saved by Walker Zimmerman.
This near miss proved a mirage in the desert for England as El Pilgrim Wright, who had been made the surprise selection in place of Josh Sargent, first saw the Americans with a well-timed volley just inside the area with a whistle-stop header.
It was a warning that the United States might trouble England, and moments later Weston McKinney should have put them ahead.
Timothy Weah’s cross on the right flank evaded a flat-footed England defense and an unmarked McKinney pulled the trigger from 10 yards, only for it to fire wide of a relieved Pickford.
Showing no signs of being intimidated by England, Berhalter’s side were inches away from turning a daring display into a stunning lead when Christian Pulisic blasted into space and lunged for the crossbar from just inside the area.
England looked shaky, tested their frayed nerves with a header that was easily off the ball, and seemed to struggle with the game.
In a rare moment of threat from England, Saka’s pass found Mason Mount and the Chelsea midfielder low from 20 yards saved American goalkeeper Matt Turner first.
In an embodiment of US spirit that contrasted with England’s lethargy, Tyler Adams broke loose in a tackle on Saka, won the ball and roared gleefully afterwards.
England remained stuck in first gear, but Kane nearly snatched an undeserved stoppage-time winner when he volleyed just wide from Luke Shaw’s free-kick.
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