Following memorable highs of reaching the World Cup semi-finals four years ago and then the final of Euro 2020, optimism surrounding Gareth Southgate’s squad had dipped heading to Qatar after a disappointing winless UEFA Nations League campaign.
However, the nation’s hopes were boosted in emphatic style as the Three Lions roared to a 6-2 victory in their opening group game against Iran, their biggest-ever win in the first match of a major tournament.
Bukayo Saka scored either side of strikes from Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling in a dominant first-half showing, before substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish got their names on the scoresheet after the break.
Southgate took plenty of positives from his side’s performance in a contest which saw nearly half an hour of stoppage time across the two halves, but he was left “fed up” after Porto’s Mehdi
Taremi netted two consolation goals for Iran. Indeed, the England boss has called for his players to improve their focus against a “full-throttle” USA outfit on Friday.
After claiming maximum points against Iran, England will look to win their opening two group matches at the World Cup for a fourth time when they face USA, having previously done so in 1982, 2006 and 2018.
Their second fixture at the last World Cup saw Southgate and co cruise to a 6-1 victory against Panama, who missed out on a place in Qatar after finishing behind USA in CONCACAF qualifying.
England have won eight of their 11 meetings with USA across all competitions, scoring 39 goals in the process, and they will be keen to increase this tally to nine on Friday as they bid to move one step closer to the last 16.
Timothy Weah initially fired the Stars and Stripes into a deserved lead nine minutes before the interval, but as Gregg Berhalter’s side lost their spark in the second half, Wales stepped up their
efforts and had their talisman Gareth Bale to thank for netting a crucial 82nd-minute equaliser from the penalty spot, after Walker Zimmerman clumsily scythed down the LAFC forward inside the area.
Links >> Stream 1 HD Stream 2 HD Stream 3 HD Stream 4 HD
Berhalter has since been criticised back in the States, but the 49-year-old – who briefly represented Crystal Palace in his playing days – believes his team “left everything out there” and remains hopeful of securing a place in the knockout rounds.
USA managed to progress from the group stage at their previous two World Cup finals, finishing second ahead of Portugal in 2014 before securing top spot ahead of England in 2010. Indeed, a memorable 1-1 draw in their last
meeting against the Three Lions – which saw Robert Greenfumble a Clint Dempsey strike – helped the Americans to finish above Fabio Capello’s men on goal difference.
The Stars and Stripes head into Friday’s contest unbeaten in their previous two World Cup meetings with England, including a shock 1-0 group-stage triumph back in 1950, and similar heroics will be required if they wish to come away with at least a point at the Al Bayt Stadium
