Sports

Eagerly anticipated England-USA clash ends 0-0

Al Khor, Qatar, Nov 25 (EFE).- The more than 68,000 people who streamed into Al Bayt Stadium for Friday’s showdown between England and the United States – the marquee match of the first week of World Cup 2022 – watched the two sides combine for a grand total of four shots on target and zero goals.

After battering Iran 6-2 in the opener, the potent Three Lions attack was neutralized by the physicality of a US side that held a European team scoreless at the World Cup for the first time since 1950.

England remain the leaders in Group B with 4 points and a goal difference of four, followed by Iran with 3 points, the US with 2 and Wales, who have a single point.

Barring the unlikely event of a loss to Wales in the final group stage match, England are set to advance to the round of 16, while the US must defeat Iran next Tuesday to advance.

England’s performance Friday in Al Khor was uncomfortably reminiscent of the run of poor form last summer that resulted in their being relegated from the top tier of the UEFA Nations League and boos rang out from the English supporters in the stands.

The Three Lions had the edge in possession, 56 percent, but managed only one shot on target and won three corners to seven for the US.

The best chances of the first half fell to the US. Wes McKennie fired over the cross-bar in the 26th minute, six minutes before Christian Pulisic’s strike bounced off the bar.

England’s closest brush with scoring came only in the 93rd minute, when Harry Kane got his head to a Luke Shaw free kick but sent the ball just wide. EFE msg/dr

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