England – USA : Preview & Prediction
England got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start by thrashing Iran 6-2 on Monday in what was their best-ever result to start a World Cup, and their second-ever comprehensive World Cup win. But after a game in which there was almost half an hour of added time, coach Gareth Southgate was not entirely satisfied, saying “it’s a great start but we’ll have to be better” after seeing his side concede two late goals.
The Three Lions conceding goals after the 60th minute has been a recurring theme in recent matches, having done so in their last four games (G1, E1, P2), but Southgate will want his team to stay focused against the United States as they look to extend their unbeaten run against that opponent to six games (G4, E1). There is no room for complacency, however, as the only head-to-head draw during that streak came at the 2010 World Cup.
The only other meeting between the two sides in a World Cup came in 1950, with a 1-0 win for the United States that remains the last time the Americans kept a clean sheet in a World Cup against a European side after conceding a late penalty to draw 1-1 with Wales in their opening match of this tournament. That victory in 1950 is considered one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, something they will want to repeat this time around to keep their chances of advancing to the next round alive.
If England were guilty of dropping their level in the second half against Iran, the same can be said of the United States against Wales, who will have remembered all the chances they missed after a clearly dominant first half. Coach Gregg Berhalter tried to stick with the positives, saying his team “left their lives” and “were doing things right until the end.”
Players to watch: Bukayo Saka scored a brace against Iran, emulating Harry Kane, who scored a brace in England’s opening game at the 2018 World Cup. Elsewhere, U.S. striker Timothy Weah, who scored the first goal in a World Cup against Wales since Pele in 1958, has yet to lose an international clash in which he has found the back of the net against opponents (G2, E2).
Key Fact: England’s last four internationals have averaged 3.75 goals during the second half.
World Cup trivia: Prior to last Monday, only two teams in this century had scored at least three goals in each half of a World Cup match (Germany in 2002 and Argentina in 2006). England and Spain have already done so in Qatar 2022 by beating Iran and Costa Rica, respectively.
England – USA : Betting Tips
England – Win Odds: 1.45
