England 0-0 USA – Lacklustre point moves England closer to qualification

England never really got going against the United States of America, as a goalless draw inside the Al Bayt Stadium saw them walk away with two points dropped. The Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate was pleased with his side’s performance, but the outsider view is that he got it all wrong with his substitutions and game plan.

Harry Maguire was England’s best player on the night, but the team rode their luck when Weston McKennie missed an easy chance after smashing the ball into row Z.

Christian Pulisic then struck the bar after some great play out on the left-hand side, showing USA’s clear intent to contest England.

Mason Mount brought a fine save from USA goalkeeper Matt Turner just before the break as he got down low to his right-hand side.

HT: 0-0

In the second half, England made three changes, one of which was bringing on Jordan Henderson. It is understandable to bring on some experience during the stage of the game in which he entered the field, but with Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold not getting a look in, questions need to be asked.

Harry Kane missed a header right at the death of the second half, in what was England’s only real chance in a very anti-climactic game of football.

FT: 0-0

This display carried none of the attacking threat that saw the Three Lions thrash Iran in their opening game and leaves them heading into their match against Wales with their fate undecided.

They now hold the World Cup record for the most amount of 0-0 results with a shocking 12. Whatever the generation, something needs to give in that final third.

Harry Kane went his second game in a row without a single shot on target, which is very worrying for his nation. However, this was the same scenario back during Euro 2020, in which he didn’t score until the Round of 16 before firing four in his next four games.

England has never beaten USA in a World Cup game, losing 1-0 in 1950 and a 1-1 stalemate back in 2010. That record continues due to tonight’s 0-0.

England Starting XI: Pickford, Shaw, Maguire, Stones, Trippier, Rice, Bellingham (69), Sterling (68), Mount, Saka (78), Kane

Subs: Walker, Grealish (68), Henderson (69), Rashford (78), Pope, Phillips, Dier, Coady, Alexander-Arnold, Foden, White, Ramsdale, Wilson, Maddison, Gallagher

USA Starting XI: Turner, Dest (78), Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson, McKennie (77), Adams, Musah, Pulisic, Weah (83), Wright (83)

Subs: Reyna (83), Ferreira, Aaronson (77), Horvath, de la Torre, Long, Morris, Roldán, Moore (78), Carter-Vickers, Yedlin, Acosta, Sargent (83), Johnson, Scally

Attendance: 68,463

Man of the Match: Christian Pulisic