What’s Next for USMNT After 0-0 Draw With England?
AL KHOR, QATAR – The bets leading up to Friday’s FIFA World Cup Match between the United States and England were how many goals the English team would win by. Surprisingly, the US men stepped up to the task and matched the Brits to a 0-0 draw. The fans at Al Bayt Stadium north of Doha were stunned and thrilled, depending on your side, by the result.
The draw gives the USA two points after two matches and while it currently sits in third place in Group B. Iran stunned Wales with 2-0 win with solid play from the Iranis, giving them and unexpected second place with three points at this point.
Iran faces the USA on Tuesday November 30th for their final group play matches.
For their match against England, the USMNT stepped up with strong energy and were solid and resurgent spirits after their poor second half showing against Wales, a match that most thought they should have won.
The US managed to shut out the Brits, with focused play and playing almost a mistake free match.
The result marked the first 0-0 draw for the U.S. Men’s National Team in World Cup play and the first shutout of a European opponent in the tournament since 1950, the 1-0 win against England. The USA out-shot England 10-8 and had seven corner kicks to England’s three.
Matt Turner was stellar in the nets and became the fifth USMNT goalkeeper to earn a shutout in a World Cup game.
Iran managed their first ever win in World Cup play with two goals over over ten-man Wales.Wales for a stunning 2-0 win.
Iran was the stronger side in this match, having dominated large parts of the match and creating comfortable chances well before Wales lost their goal keeper in the 86th minute.
Wayne Hennessey was punished following a VAR review for charging from his goal and wiping out Mehdi Taremi as Iran’s star striker charged in on goal.
At eight minutes in stoppage time, Iran flexed their muscles and finally took advantage when Rouzbeh Chesmi snatched on a poor Joe Allen clearance to lash a superb low shot beyond substitute goalkeeper Danny Ward from just outside the box.
Ramin Rezaeian, outstanding throughout, then raced through a tiring Welsh defence to dink home a delicious second three minutes later to put the seal on a momentous triumph for Queiroz and his team.
Iran’s win made everything simple for the US. Win and you’re in. Lose and…well.
If Team USA comes into the net match, they would be in great shape. The focus it took to shut out England should surely hold off Iran, and the US had their chances abasing the Brits, even Christian Politic had a shot the hit the crossbar the was really close.
Tune in for more awesome drama on Tuesday.