England slump to disappointing World Cup stalemate vs USA

England fans at Boxpark watch 0-0 draw with USA

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

The fact that the referee could bear only four added minutes in the most time-conscious tournament in history is testament to how drab this England performance truly was. It is the hope that kills, and the belief that England could somehow take this tournament like a Desert Storm died in the still of the Arabian night.

But it was as thought the energy that made England’s opener against Iran so enthralling had simply soaked away in the all-surrounding sands. When the final whistle eventually blew, the cheers of Iran were replaced be a smattering of boos.

The Three Lions started with the confidence you would expect from a side coming off such a huge win and when Jude Bellingham cut the ball to Raheem Sterling to pull back for Harry Kane in just the 10th minute, it looked like there might be more of the same.

Walker Zimmerman’s block was a good one, but so was Kane’s position and normally you expect to see the net bulge. It was a close as England were to get until stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Thankfully, as the USA came more into the game and England rocked back onto their heels, they lacked enough quality up front to make the most of some enterprising midfield play.

Haji Wright headed a good chance wide; Weston McKennie’s side-footed a half-volley over the bar when he should have done better from 10 yards out. Christian Pulisic, the one man who can show glimpses of world class talent, rattled England’s crossbar with angled shot that should finally have woken England from their reverie.

Instead, it was still the USA on the front foot, with Dest breaking down the right and half-selling Maguire a dummy. Fortunately the United skipper recovered in time to deflect Dest’s eventual shot wide. The same right-back then swung in a cross that demanded a bullet header but was bundled weakly goalwards by Pulisic’s shoulders in one of his less-than-world class moments.

England’s late first-half flourish – both Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount finally testing USA goalkeeper Turner promised better for the second half. Instead it was almost as though the players were counting down the minutes until Southgate finally made his make-or-break substitutions.

USA remained on the attack as Maguire turned into Old Slabhead again, regularly rescuing England with timely, powerful headers. Much has been made of the sort of impact Jack Grealish could have on games from the bench – although few were clamouring for Jordan Henderson to strip down by the touchline alongside him.

Phil Foden, perhaps.

Source: Read Full Article