England thumped Iran 6-2 of their opening sport of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. AP
Doha: England head into their second match of the World Cup towards the US on Friday understanding victory would safe a spot within the final 16, whereas the Netherlands might additionally qualify for the knockout section.
FIFA World Cup: Fixtures | Outcomes | Factors Desk | Squads | Data
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 Individuals, however must 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 staff 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 we’ve got 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’ll face a really extremely motivated staff. I don’t assume we will probably be underestimating the US in any respect.”
England are nonetheless bidding for a primary main event title in 56 years after dropping final 12 months’s European Championship last to Italy on penalties.
Day 5 Recap: Cristiano Ronaldo creates historical past, Neymar suffers damage scare in Brazil win
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 towards Iran.
Carlos Queiroz’s Iran will probably be out in the event that they lose to Wales, who drew their opener with the US.
Ahead Mehdi Taremi, who scored their two objectives towards England, denied the staff had come below strain from Iran’s authorities after opting to not sing the nationwide anthem earlier than their first sport.
“I don’t like to speak about political points however we’re not below any strain,” he stated.
Wales might put themselves on the point of qualification forward of a gathering with neighbours England with three factors, of their first World Cup since dropping to Pele’s Brazil within the 1958 quarter-finals.
“They’re a troublesome staff and so they’re on the World Cup for a motive,” skipper Gareth Bale, who scored a late penalty towards the US, stated of Iran.
Dutch focusing on title
Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands celebrates scoring the opening aim towards Senegal. AP
Louis van Gaal’s Dutch staff might additionally undergo from Group A with a win over Ecuador however would wish hosts Qatar to attract with Senegal.
The Oranje edged to a 2-0 success towards the African champions of their first outing with late objectives from in-form teenager Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen.
The Netherlands, three-time runners-up, are enjoying on the World Cup for the primary time since ending third below Van Gaal in 2014.
“We’re right here to grow to be world champions,” Van Gaal stated on the eve of the sport.
Additionally Learn | Brazil break dogged Serbian defence as Tite is vindicated in win
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 gang go away earlier than the ultimate whistle.
One other defeat might see the Asian Cup holders grow to be solely the second dwelling staff to crash out within the group stage, after South Africa in 2010.
“We hope that now we’re free from all of the strain that we had within the opening match,” stated Qatar coach Felix Sanchez. “I hope we are able to compete and produce our ‘A Recreation’.”
On Thursday, Cristiano Ronaldo grew to become 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.
Learn all of the Newest Information, Trending Information, Cricket Information, Bollywood Information, India Information and Leisure Information right here. Observe us on Fb, Twitter and Instagram.