England and the United States signed a gentlemen’s agreement which left the group open

England and the United States They signed a gentlemen’s agreement, with no injuries, no surprises, with a 0-0 draw that doesn’t bother either of them. Eloquent fact: there were no reproaches. Not even much friction.

It is true that the United States has closed the road to England and that it has prevailed in the tactical battle, if there was one. The set of Gregg Berhalter pressed on the exit and that on Gareth Southgate failed to set up a game from behind, with John Stones, as usual, making a key save on either Jude Bellingham, who had been a figure against Iran, or Declan Rice. Without brokering an extraordinary offer, he managed to tie up a team that seemed to have no options in his script.

Five of the starting eleven Berhalter has put into play in the Premier League: goalkeeper Matt Turner (Arsenal), left sector of defence, made up of Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson (both at Fulham), captain Tyler Adams (Leeds United) and Christian Pulisic (Chelsea). Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), another midfielder, also came on in the second half. Bearing in mind that only Bellingham play abroad of the England team (at Borussia Dortmund in Germany), the match was a full-fledged Premier League match, but with one key difference: it was pretty boring.

England had the ball but didn’t know what to do with it, no spaces. They were not found by Bellingham or Bukayo Saka, much less Harry Kane, who has already played two games and hasn’t shouted (at this point, he had already scored five goals in Russia 2018, obviously against Tunisia and Panama). The Tottenham forward had played well on his debut, provided at least two assists and showed great participation in a team that scored six against Iran and displayed all his virtues. Here he was uncomfortable, like his whole team, without being able to enter the area or enable his offensive teammates. uncomfortable and annoying. Lui had a chance in the first half, but it ended with defender Ream too close and a header that went wide from Shaw’s free-kick in second half stoppage time. Too small.

On the other side, Tyler Adams was a watchmaker in midfield. The United States moves around him, the central midfielder manages everything with the wisdom of a veteran, even if he is 23 years old. Sure, the North American team stayed there, to cancel England. He failed to bring tactical dominance to victory because he lacked that imbalance that cannot be achieved with his performances. Creativity or some steady ball is required. He had neither. Pulisic, his figure in attack, played more waiting for full-back Kieran Trippier’s raises than overflowing him. And there one of the possibilities to deepen was diluted.

The tie didn’t bother either of them too much. Nor did they make great efforts to modify it. England because they never felt comfortable developing their game, showing little variation ahead of their rivals’ approach. United States, because they did their job: they bet on closing the door against a team that had just scored six goals and trying to hit some pressure to surprise the orderly English defense. he only had one clear one, which Weston McKennie closed high, almost a moving penalty. These are those opportunities not to be missed when the game is over.

This group B closes on Tuesday: England (4 points) will only need a draw against Wales to qualify for the round of 16 and the United States (2) will define with Iran, who surprised Gareth Bale’s team with a 2-0 win victory and arrive with possibility to the last appointment. They have no choice but to offer some thrill.