England will qualify for the knockout round if they win this clash. But a defeat for the United States could get them in trouble.
Who: UK vs USA, BENEFITS
Where: Al Bayt Stadium
When: Friday, November 25th at 10pm (19:00 GMT)
Rating: UK (5), USA (16)
Emerging by them Sparkling 6-2 victory against Iran, England will go into Friday’s game against the United States full of confidence, knowing that one more win will guarantee them progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Gareth Southgate’s squad will be looking to build on a promising performance on Monday and have been boosted by news that star captain and striker Harry Kane is expected to be fit to play later. as the 29-year-old recovers from an ankle injury suffered at the Three Lions’ inaugural fixture.
Hope Kane is supported by Bukayo Sakawho scored twice against Iran, and 19-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham, who scored his first international goal in England’s opening game.
The United States, for their part, will be looking for an improved performance after an initially promising start to Wales on Monday gave way to a disappointing 1-1 draw, with Gareth Bale’s second-half penalty canceled Timothy Weah’s 36th-minute opener.
“Captain America” Christian Pulisic, who moved to Chelsea in the English Premier League, will again side lead from the front. Several other members of the team are also regular Premier League players.
But familiarity will mean nothing on both sides of the Atlantic and inside the Al Bayt stadium, where the so-called “special relationship” between the two nations will pause for 90 minutes as they compete. supremacy over the South China Sea. football pitches.
Britain clearly loves
England are expected to come out on top, with the opening win representing an impressive return to form after poor pre-tournament results left them six games without a win.
Southgate’s decision to use a more attacking 4-3-3 formation – a change from his previously preferred 3-5-2 system – worked, with a midfield trio Bellingham, Declan Rice and Mason Mount bring dynamism and creativity to life.
Other positives for the team were that winger Raheem Sterling, who was under pressure to qualify for the World Cup after a string of limp performances for Chelsea, put in a lively display with a goal in the minute. 46. Substitutes Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford also scored late.
However, alarm bells were sounded after the game by both Southgate and some of his players over fundamental flaws in defense that saw Iran twice beat goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
They know that the United States has the quality to capitalize on any repetition of those mistakes and is also capable of putting up greater resistance in the rear than the Iranians can muster.
But the pressure is on the students of the US coach Gregg Berhalter. A loss on Friday would make it necessary for them to win their last game – against Iran – to have a chance of making it through to the group stage.
