Stones and Grealish feature as England are held by the United States | OneFootball

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Manchester City F.C.

·25 November 2022

Stones and Grealish feature as England are held by the United States

Article image:Stones and Grealish feature as England are held by the United States

John Stones played the full 90 minutes and Jack Grealish was a second half substitute as England drew 0-0 with the United States in their second World Cup finals group game in Qatar.

It was a frustrating night for Gareth Southgate’s side and a marked contrast to Monday’s 6-2 Group B win over Iran with the States proving tough, talented and dangerous opponents.


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Indeed, America it was who came closest to scoring, Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic seeing a first half shot hit the bar while for England a Harry Kane header in injury time represented the Three Lions’ best hope.

The result leaves England top of Group B with four points, but with Iran on three, America on two and Wales on one, it means all four teams can still reach the last 16 going into Tuesday's last games.

Southgate had named an unchanged side for the first time in 53 matches at the Al Bayt Stadium as he looked to build on the momentum of that impressive Iran display.

But unlike Monday’s opener, it proved a sluggish first 45 minutes with the Americans largely in the ascendancy.

The warning signs were there when USA midfielder Weston McKennie fired just over on 25 minutes.

On 32 minutes another sweeping American move saw England stretched once more and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisc opened up a fraction of space before fizzing in a smart shot which smacked against the top of the bar.

Article image:Stones and Grealish feature as England are held by the United States

Another fine cross by Sergino Dest met the waiting Pulisic and the Three Lions were relieved to see his header swivel wide of the left hand post.

Just before the break England finally generated some attacking momentum of their own.

A surging Luke Shaw down the left flank run saw the ball eventually find Bukayo Saka but his shot carried too much elevation before USA keeper Matt Turner had to be alert to deny Mason Mount’s long range shot.

The American territorial and possession dominance continued after the break with their pressure and pressing pitting England on the back-foot once more as the Three Lions struggled to break out of their half.

City’s Jack Grealish was introduced on 65 minutes along with Jordan Henderson as Southgate attempted to stem the tide.

The winger immediately injected more pace and purpose into England’s work but chances remained at a premium.

Fellow sub Marcus Rashford tried his luck with a curling shot but it was meat and drink for Turner while Kane then blazed an injury time header wide.

England need only avoid a 4-0 defeat to Wales in their final game against Wales on Tuesday while the game between Iran and the USA is an effective winner takes all encounter.

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