The United States were better than their opponents in the two matches they have played so far in the Qatar Cup. They could be classified, with six points obtained. Instead, they have just two and go into the last round against Iran needing a win.
The 0-0 draw with England this Friday (25th), at the Al Bayt stadium, embroiled Group B of the World Cup. As Iran surprised by defeating Wales 2-0, the four teams in the group reach the last round with a chance of qualifying.
Next Tuesday (29), in addition to the game between the United States and Iran (three points), Wales (one) will face England (four).
England had their most relevant moment before kick-off. For the second time in Qatar, players knelt on the field to protest against racism. The gesture, considered political, is not allowed by FIFA.
The draw maintains the record that England have failed to win all three of their group matches. The last time this happened was in Spain in 1982.
The game had some English dominance in the first 25 minutes, but from the moment the Americans balanced the actions, the team led by Gareth Southgate did not threaten. The American Pulisic almost opened the scoring with a shot from outside the area, but it hit the post.
There were moments in the second half when the preponderance of the United States was so great that their fans, smaller in number, silenced the English. Coach Gregg Berhalter set up a scheme that annulled wingers Saka and Sterling, highlights of the English in the 6-2 rout obtained in the debut, against Iran. Both were eventually replaced.
The biggest noise from the English fans was, at the end of the game, booing the team and coach Gareth Southgate.
It was curious to see Harry Kane, top scorer and best player in England, spending more time in his defense area, defending, than in the opponent’s, trying to score the goal.
Sterling’s presence was questioned before the World Cup because of his time at Chelsea. A fast player and dribbler, he has a great ability to waste goals. Some of them cost the team a place in the 2018 World Cup final, when the team dominated Croatia in the semifinals.
Well organized on the field, the United States, who were not even present at the World Cup four years ago, fail to have a top scorer. The most incisive player was once again Timothy Weah, who scored in the first round against Wales and is the son of George Weah, Liberian voted best on the planet in 1995.
United States x England is a confrontation that usually reserves unpleasant surprises for the English. The most famous of them was in 1950 in what is the biggest upset in the history of the World Cups. With a team full of amateurs, the Americans won 1-0.
In South Africa, in 2010, there was a 1-1 draw when the England goalkeeper, Robert Green, took a chicken when he let a weak shot go between his legs.
In Al Bayt, the luck that used to smile on the United States against the English did not appear.
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