England head into their second match of the World Cup in opposition to america on Friday understanding victory would safe a spot within the final 16, whereas the Netherlands may additionally qualify for the knockout part. Gareth Southgate’s males kicked off their marketing campaign with a 6-2 rout of Iran who tackle Wales in Friday’s first Group B sport. No matter the results of that match, England would progress by beating the People, however should overcome a gifted younger aspect and the burden of historical past.
The USA knocked England out of the 1950 event with one of many greatest shocks in World Cups and in 2010 held a star-studded crew to a 1-1 draw finest remembered for a howler by English goalkeeper Rob Inexperienced.
“Have we ever overwhelmed the US at a World Cup? No. Tomorrow now we have to try to make historical past,” Southgate advised a pre-match press convention.
“We’re good at speaking extremely of ourselves as a nation on little or no proof. We all know we are going to face a really extremely motivated crew. I do not suppose we might be underestimating the US in any respect.”
England are nonetheless bidding for a primary main event title in 56 years after shedding final yr’s European Championship remaining to Italy on penalties.
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They got a lift forward of the USA sport, although, as captain Harry Kane was handed match regardless of taking a knock to his ankle in opposition to Iran.
Carlos Queiroz’s Iran might be out in the event that they lose to Wales, who drew their opener with the US.
Ahead Mehdi Taremi, who scored their two targets in opposition to England, denied the crew had come beneath stress from Iran’s authorities after opting to not sing the nationwide anthem earlier than their first sport.
“I do not like to speak about political points however we aren’t beneath any stress,” he stated.
Wales may put themselves on the point of qualification forward of a gathering with neighbours England with three factors, of their first World Cup since shedding to Pele’s Brazil within the 1958 quarter-finals.
“They seem to be a tough crew they usually’re on the World Cup for a motive,” skipper Gareth Bale, who scored a late penalty in opposition to america, stated of Iran.
– Dutch concentrating on title –
Louis van Gaal’s Dutch crew may additionally undergo from Group A with a win over Ecuador however would want hosts Qatar to attract with Senegal.
The Oranje edged to a 2-0 success in opposition to the African champions of their first outing with late targets from in-form teenager Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen.
The Netherlands, three-time runners-up, are taking part in on the World Cup for the primary time since ending third beneath Van Gaal in 2014.
“We’re right here to turn into world champions,” Van Gaal stated on the eve of the sport.
Qatar are in determined want of a response after slumping to a tame 2-0 loss to Ecuador within the event curtain-raiser which noticed nearly all of the group depart earlier than the ultimate whistle.
One other defeat may see the Asian Cup holders turn into solely the second house crew to crash out within the group stage, after South Africa in 2010.
“We hope that now we’re free from all of the stress that we had within the opening match,” stated Qatar coach Felix Sanchez. “I hope we will compete and produce our ‘A Sport’.”
On Thursday, Cristiano Ronaldo turned the primary man to attain in 5 World Cups with a controversial penalty in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Ghana, whereas favourites Brazil made a robust begin by beating Serbia.
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