England vs USA, FIFA World Cup 2022: The English team, fresh off an impressive opening-round win at the 2022 World Cup, will take on the United States on Friday night at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, hoping to further their chances of finishing first in Group B.
On Monday, the Three Lions opened their season by scoring six goals against Iran, while the United States was held to a draw by Wales.
Optimism around Gareth Southgate’s group had fallen travelling to Qatar after a dismal winless UEFA Nations League campaign, after the great highs of reaching the World Cup semi-finals four years ago and then the final of Euro 2020.
The Three Lions’ 6-2 triumph against Iran in their first group game was their largest victory in the opening match of a major tournament, and it increased national aspirations.
Four goals were scored in the first half, two by Bukayo Saka, one each by Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling, and one each by replacements Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish.
Despite being “fed up” by Mehdi Taremi’s two consolation goals for Iran, Southgate saw many positives with his team’s performance in a match that included over half an hour of stoppage time between the two halves. As it turns out, England’s manager has been emphasizing the need of maintaining a laser-like concentration in preparation for Friday’s match against a “full-throttle” United States team.
England defeated Iran 2-0, and they’ll play the United States looking to become the fourth team in World Cup history to win their first two group games. This happened in 1982, 2006, and 2018. Southgate and company defeated Panama, who finished second in CONCACAF qualification behind the United States, 6-1 in their second World Cup match.
England has defeated the United States in eight of their past eleven encounters against them in all competitions, scoring a total of 39 goals in the process. They will be hoping to make it nine straight wins on Friday in order to advance to the round of 16.
U.S.A.’s first game in Qatar ended in a 1-1 tie against Wales on Monday. U.S.A. had taken the lead in the game before a certain Los Angeles FC player equalized.
As Gregg Berhalter’s side sputtered in the second half, Wales stepped up their efforts and had their talisman, Gareth Bale, to thank for netting a crucial equalizer from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute, after Walker Zimmerman clumsily scythed down the LAFC forward inside the area, after Timothy Weah had given the Stars and Stripes a deserved lead nine minutes before halftime.
Since returning to the States, Berhalter has been criticized, but the 49-year-old, a former player for Crystal Palace, insists his squad “put everything out there” and is optimistic about advancing to the knockout stages.
In their last two World Cup appearances, the United States advanced through the group stage, placing second to Portugal in 2014 and first to England in 2010. Indeed, the Americans finished ahead of Fabio Capello’s men in the tournament thanks to their goal differential after playing to a dramatic 1-1 tie in their last encounter against the Three Lions.
On Friday, the United States takes on England at the Al Bayt Stadium hoping to earn at least a point after going undefeated in their previous two World Cup meetings with England, including a shocking 1-0 group-stage victory in 1950.
England vs USA, FIFA World Cup 2022: Match details
Date: November 25, 2022
Venue: Al Bayt Stadium
England vs USA, FIFA World Cup 2022: Where to watch?
In Uk, it’s Sky Sports Network and BT Sports. In the USA, it can be streamed on the DAZN App or FOX Sports. In India, it will be shown on the Sports18 channel and Jio Cinema.
England vs USA, FIFA World Cup 2022: Team News
England:
After a scan on Wednesday confirmed that captain Harry Kane’s ankle was not broken, the 29-year-old trained with the first-team squad and is expected to keep his starting spot in the attack.
After recovering from illness, central defender Harry Maguire is likely to rejoin Kieran Trippier, John Stones, and Luke Shaw in Southgate’s starting back four.
After recovering from groin surgery, Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has declared himself fit to play against the United States and has participated in the training. However, Walker is not expected to start, with an appearance off the bench to build match fitness being more likely.
With James Maddison still questionable for Friday’s match due to a knee injury, the likes of Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Mason Mount are likely to start once more in central midfield.
USA:
While USA midfielders Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah were forced off with injuries during the 1-1 draw with Wales due to groin and toe issues, respectively, both players are expected to be healthy enough to return to the starting lineup alongside captain Tyler Adams.
The eight British-based club players in Berhalter’s squad include Adams, who is expected to start in front of a back four featuring Fulham’s Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson and Arsenal’s Matt Turner in goal.
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) is expected to start up top once again alongside Timothy Weah (Norwich City) and Joshua Sargent (Borussia Dortmund) on Saturday, but Borussia Dortmund’s Giovanni Reyna (who was an unused substitute in the previous match) will try to make his way into the attack.
Brendan Aaronson (of Leeds) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (of Celtic) were both named to the bench for the match against Wales, with the former entering the game in the second half, and both players are expected to get the nod off the bench once again on Friday.
Probable Playing XI:
England possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Mount, Sterling; Kane
USA possible starting lineup:
Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Ream, A. Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Musah; Weah, Sargent, Pulisic