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England made to wait for WC last 16 berth

England remain top of Group B at the 2022 FIFA World Cup after playing to a goalless draw against the United States on Friday night.

Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate went with the same side that start the 6-1 victory over Iran on Monday evening, as Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden continued with their bench roles.

USA, meanwhile, made just one change from the draw with Wales as Josh Sargent made way for Haji Wright in the attack.

It was the Americans who looked the livelier of the two sides in the first half despite England shading the possession statistics, although they were unable to carve out any openings.

The game's first real opening arrived in the 26th minute when Weston McKennie was left un-marked in the box, but somehow blazed over from close-range.

While England only trouble Matt Turner on one occasion, Christian Pulisic had the best chance of the half as he carved open some space before rattling the frame of the goal with a left-footed strike.

Gregg Berhalter's charges carried that momentum into the second half, with the midfield trio of Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams and McKennie enjoying a lot of the ball.

That eventually forced Southgate to make a couple changes on 69 minutes, as Jordan Henderson and Jack Grealish and replaced Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling.

The changes made no immediate impact although Marcus Rashford, who replaced Saka, managed to sting the gloves of Turner in the 87th minutes as time began to run out.

England should have snatched maximum points in time added on when Luke Shaw's well-weighted free-kick found Harry Kane, who failed to steer his header on target as USA held on for the point.

The Three Lions take on rivals Wales in the final group game, while the Americans will face Iran who defeated the Welsh earlier in the day.

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