England – United States: Maguire size boss, deep boredom and lack of coaching … The tops and flops

TOPS

Musah-Adams, lungs of the American game

Strong point of the English game, rising star of the Three Lions, Jude Bellingham has never existed against the United States. Blame it on the Yunus Musah-Tyler Adams pair. The two American midfielders completely stifled their counterparts in midfield with their incessant pressing, preventing Bellingham and Rice from animating the (sad) English game. And the duo also always projected themselves to bring the excess and the danger, like the deflected shot from Musah (29th) which nevertheless started very well.

Rock solid Maguire

Very often criticized, it must be emphasized when Harry Maguire holds the house (almost) all by himself. Whether in the first period to counter the strike from Sergino Dest (41st) or in the second, above all, to repel the American attacks with his head, like this save in front of Walker Zimmerman (57th), the English central defender was impeccable and decisive to leave his family alive in the highlight of the United States.

LES FLOPS

Southgate, coaching perdant

How could he take so long to change his team? As much as his coaching against Iran had been effective with incoming scorers, as much as that of this Friday was missed in large widths. With so much difficulty to be dangerous, why wait until the 68th minute to make things happen? Why leave Phil Foden on the bench? Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount were transparent but that didn’t stop the second from finishing the match… England were on the street and Southgate did nothing to open the door for them.

For the show, we’ll go back (again)

It’s an increasingly strong trend but still just as unpleasant: we’ve been bored lately in this World Cup. And this England – United States unfortunately risks occupying a place of king in the ranking of the worst matches of this World Cup. No rhythm, almost no shot on target (4 in total) and only one real dangerous situation, Christian Pulisic’s shot on the bar… The best symbol? The final American free kick, at the last second, put at the corner post rather than in the area. Disappointing.

English passivity

Did the English play 0-0? Frankly, it makes you wonder as the Southgate players were passive throughout the match. Timid with the ball, without any inspiration, England did not even put on the intensity worthy of a top game. Especially in the first quarter of the second half, when the Americans raised their voices. Overwhelmed, the English never reacted, never setting foot in the duels, content to submit, with an astonishing passivity and unworthy of a candidate for the world title.