The 2022 World Cup will witness its first historical clash as England locks horns against the USA in their second group-stage game at Al Bayt Stadium.
The Three Lions started their quest in the tournament in emphatic fashion beating Iran 6-2 while the USA were denied their first win back to the World Cup stage by Wales in the 1-1 draw.
ENG vs USA Match Details
Date: Friday, 25 September/ Saturday, 26 September 2022
Time: 22:00 (AST) / 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Al Bayt Stadium, Al-Khor
ENG vs USA Match Preview
The ditching of the One Love armband by FIFA at the last minute and the subsequent backtracking of the FA in the fear of having their captains booked for wearing it took much of the headline building towards the game against Iran. Gareth Southgate’s men still managed to get their heads around for the game dismantling Iran, juggling their own issues in the homeland, 6-2. Jude Bellingham became the second youngest goal-scorer for England in history at the age of 19 through his first goal for the nation to break the deadlock in the 35th minute. Bukayo Saka grabbed a player of the match performance scoring in either half while Sterling and substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish also got into the act. Keeping a clean sheet could have made the score-line shinier but Mehdi Taremi got two back for Iran although neither ruffled a feather. Southgate now has won more matches at major competitions than any other England manager in history. He could not have been more pleased with the performance although he won’t like the way the Three Lions conceded. Nevertheless, England preferring to take a more attacking approach will sit down well with the fans. They hope the team carries the same formula in the next group game against the USA to seal early qualification to the last 16. The Three Lions have won eight of their 11 meetings with the USA across all competitions, scoring 39 goals in the process. However, they haven’t won against the Stars and the Stripes in the two meetings in the World Cup.
The United States almost tasted a sweet victory in their return to the World Cup stage with Timothy Weah giving them the lead in the opening match against Wales. Walker Zimmerman’s clumsy challenge on Gareth Bale in the box who then converted the penalty in the 82nd minute denied them the victory parade. Gregg Berhalter’s men scored with the only shot on target but failed to create more. The strategy to defend their lead till the end compounded too much pressure on the team. The manager did get a lot of slack for that considering they face England next. USA will have to defend as a unit for the second group stage game looking at the scoring spree of the Three Lions in the first match. If they somehow manage a point out of the contest, the last game against Iran will be crucial for getting into the next round. It is a far-fetched talk as the quality-filled England team having a good attacking flux is a force to reckon with. The Yanks have been in the same scenario in past meetings in the World Cup. Despite being the underdog in those, they have reigned supreme. In the last meeting in 2010, the USA side drew against an England team in the era of the golden generation and also produce a shock over them back in 1950. Gregg Berhalter’s men will wish history repeats itself in this competition.
ENG vs USA Team News
England manager Gareth Southgate confirmed that Harry Kane will be fit to face the United States on Friday. The skipper rolled over his ankle after a heavy tackle in the win against Iran and was substituted as a precaution. He reportedly took a scan, which caused fear of missing the clash, but reports are positive. The 29-year-old has escaped a serious injury and has trained with the first-team squad. Harry Maguire has also recovered from a supposed head injury in the match and is set to keep his place in the back four. Kyle Walker has taken part in training after recovering from a groin injury while James Maddison is still not involved due to a knee problem. The manager will also like to keep his system and personnel intact from the first game.
Also Read | England’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and FIFA World Cup 2022: England - World Cup Records and Stats
Weston Mckennie and Yunus Musah carried some injury problems as their substituted in the last match. The duo has passed themselves fit to get involved again. There are no other injury issues in the squad for Gregg Berhalter to worry about. The same eleven that started the draw against Wales will begin against England. Giovanni Reyna is hoping for a place in the starting eleven but it is less likely to come.
Also Read | USA’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and FIFA World Cup 2022: USA - World Cup Records and Stats
ENG vs USA Predicted lineups
ENG: Jordan Pickford; Kieran Trippier, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham; Bukayo Saka, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling; Harry Kane
USA: Matt Turner; Sergino Dest, Walker Zimmerman, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Weston Mckennie, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah; Timothy Weah, Josh Sargent, Christian Pulisic
ENG vs USA Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Pickford (8)
DEF: Trippier (8.5), Zimmerman (7.5), Maguire (7.5), Shaw (8)
MID: Saka (9), Adams (8), Bellingham (8.5), Pulisic (9)
FW: Sargent (8), Sterling (8.5)
Vice-captain: Jude Bellingham
Captain: Bukayo Saka
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