Sluggish England Frustrated After Sharing Points With USA

Gareth Southgate's England squandered a chance to advance to the World Cup last 16 after a sluggish performance against the United States on Friday.

Gareth Southgate's England squandered a chance to advance to the World Cup's last 16 after a sluggish performance against the United States on Friday. With a win in their second encounter, Southgate's side would have been assured to move from Group B, but they barely troubled a determined US squad. After thrashing Iran 6-2 on Monday, England lacked the energy shown in their first encounter and were booed off at the end. They only mustered one shot on goal and might easily have succumbed in the first half, when the US dominated for lengthy stretches at Al Bayt Stadium.

For the third time in three World Cup encounters with the United States, England failed to live up to their expectations.

Following a devastating defeat in the 1950 tournament and a 1-1 tie in 2010, this was another gutsy American effort against England, dampening some of the Three Lions' post-Iran fervour.

Despite a poor performance from England, they remain in control of their own fate.

England would go to the knockout stages if they drew their last group game against Wales on November 29, while a win would secure first place.

The United States, which had drawn its opening two games, plays Iran on the same day, knowing that a win would advance them to the round of 16.

Gregg Berhalter's squad is the World Cup's second-youngest, yet a day after America celebrated Thanksgiving, they left lethargic England looking like the ones who had eaten too much turkey.

England chose an unchanged lineup for the first time since the 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia, with Harry Kane and Harry Maguire recovering from ankle injuries and sickness, respectively.

However, although England dominated possession against a cautious Iran from the start, the US was considerably more eager to press higher up the pitch.

The United States' willingness to confront England temporarily created space behind them, and Jude Bellingham's daring run and pass let Bukayo Saka free down the right side of the US zone.

Walker Zimmerman saved Kane's goalbound attempt after Saka's cross reached him.

Haji Wright, a surprise pick in lieu of Josh Sargent, had the Americans' first look of goal with a well-timed run into the box for a header that whistled wide.

It was a warning that the US may cause problems for England, and Weston McKennie could have put them ahead seconds later.

Timothy Weah's wide right cross escaped England's flat-footed defence, and the unmarked McKennie pulled the trigger from 10 yards out, only to shoot just wide of the relieved Pickford's goal.

Berhalter's side were inches away from converting an inventive display into a breathtaking lead when Christian Pulisic jinked into space and smashed a soaring shot against the crossbar from just inside the box.

England lost the ball much too readily and laboured in their build-up play; they were unsettled, and Pulisic tested their fraying nerves with a header that deflected wide.

Saka's ball found Mason Mount, and the Chelsea midfielder's low effort from 20 yards drew a first save from US goalkeeper Matt Turner in a rare moment of English threat.

Tyler Adams crushed into a tackle on Saka, regaining the ball and screamed in pleasure, exemplifying the US energy that stood in stark contrast to England's sluggishness.

England stayed in first gear, but Kane came close to stealing an undeserved winner in stoppage time when he headed over from Luke Shaw's free kick.