Gareth Southgate’s team, which leads Group B with 4 points, now it is enough not to be thrashed in the last day by its neighbor Wales, last with a unit.
For its part, the United States, third with two points, will have to beat Iran, who has three, to advance to the eighths.
On Friday, the United States left better feelings than in the first game against Wales (1-1) in an event of great importance for American soccer, the next co-organizer of the World Cup in 2026.
With the second youngest squad in the World Cup, coach Gregg Berhalter sought experience in five starters who are active in the Premier League including their figure Christian Pulisic, who finished off the crossbar in the first half.
Southgate, on his side, did not save anything in reserve and deployed the same eleven that thrashed Iran 6-2. He did not even give rest to Harry Kane, the most irreplaceable of all, who had withdrawn from the previous clash limping on his right foot.
The Tottenham striker, Golden Boot at the last World Cup, started the game very active and after 10 minutes he gave a first notice when finishing a service from Saka with a shot that hit a defender.
England had the initiative but, with a parsimonious ball release, the domain was sterile.
The talented Jude Bellingham, one of the new sensations of European football at 19 years old, he caught the rhythm and could not activate the Saka and Sterling arrows on the wings.
– USA remains undefeated –
While keeping danger away, The United States was daring to sight Jordan Pickford’s goal.
The first approaches came with a deflected header from striker Haji Wright, the only novelty that Berhalter introduced into the starting eleven, and a high shot from Weston McKennie when he was completely alone in the heart of the area.
The United States was capable of exploiting its greatest weapon, the verticality of powerful flyers such as McKennie or Yunus Musah and winger Tim Weah, son of legendary former Liberian player George Weah and scorer of the only goal against Wales.
Pulisic’s appearances also arrived, as sporadic as they were damaging. In the 33rd minute, he received the ball at the right corner of the area and surprised the English defense with a left-footed shot that crashed off the crossbar.
The striker was eager to prove himself against England after a difficult few months at Chelsea.
The ball hit the wood resounded in the imposing Al Bayt stadium and woke up the English, who before the break responded with a deflected shot from Saka and another from Mason Mount that Matt Turner saved with a great dive.
Around the locker room, the United States kept knocking on the door of the English goal, encouraged by shouts of ‘USA, USA’ among the 68,463 spectators in the stands.
Southgate reacted by relieving Bellingham but this time he did not exploit his luxurious bench and only traded Sterling for Grealish.
The Manchester City winger gave some vitality to the English attack and Kane had one last chance in discount with a header in the area but the United States ended up maintaining their unbeaten record against England in their three World Cup matches.
