England 0-0 USA: Below-par Three Lions miss chance to seal place in World Cup last 16

England missed the chance to seal their place in the World Cup last 16 with a match to spare as they produced a below-par display in a goalless draw with the USA.

Expectation was high after the free-flowing performance to dismantle Iran, but nothing like that was on show in the second group-stage match as the Three Lions rode their luck just to hold on to a point.

The USA had much the better chances, Christian Pulisic smacking the bar with a powerful strike from just inside the box, but could not find the goal their performance probably deserved.

It means England have work to do in their final Group B match against Wales, while the USA will be confident of getting their job done when they face Iran at the same time.

Gareth Southgate went with the same side that beat Iran, no doubt hoping for a similar performance, though it certainly did not materialise in the opening 45 minutes.

The Three Lions made a bright start, Harry Kane having a shot blocked after good work from Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, but for most of the first-half it was the USA well on top.

Weston McKennie blazed over from inside the box when completely free, while Yunus Musah fired a shot from distance straight at Jordan Pickford. Pulisic went as close as anyone on the pitch to breaking the deadlock, thumping a left-footed strike against the bar.

It was more of the same after the break, England barely able to get out of their own half. Pulisic had a couple more strikes from distance blocked, as those in white shirts became increasingly frustrated with each other.

Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford were among those introduced as Southgate tried to turn the tide, but there was still very little in the way of creativity from England in the final third. The USA’s threat on the counter petered out too, with Kane’s header, sent wide, the only reach chance for either side in what was a tame conclusion.