England and the United States split the points in a 90-minute yawn

England Y United States of America They promised a great game, but gave away an hour and a half of lateral and central touches to the defenders’ heads. He was a soporific 0 to 0 for the second date of Group B from Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Gareth Southgate’s men arrived at Al Bayt stadium with candidate credentials and the chance to seal their ticket to the last 16 if they win. The lapidary 6-2 against Iran thrilled the island, despite many looking askance at the venue and its alleged lack of freedom, according to Western eyes.

The United States, after a decent debut against Wales, promise to be a rival to match. Someone who, almost 30 years after the foundation of his professional league, manages, little by little and with patience, to stop being a nice participant to those who show up to compete seriously.

The credentials were enticing, but the expectation had nothing to do with what happened on the playing field.

The first few minutes, the image was that of two boxers studying, measuring and occasionally throwing a random blow to see the opponent’s reaction.

There were no jabs at Al Bayt, there were flank passes between full-backs and midfielders and the immediate halt of any timid attempt to advance.

After 9 minutes, Harry Kane, who conspicuously didn’t score in England’s first two games, could have opened the scoring after a pass into the heart of the box from young gunner Bukayo Saka.

It was the first threat from the champions in ’66 that put first, second and third gears towards the goal: to win and qualify.

But that was just it. Three minutes later Weston McKennie, a Juventus player, recognizable by some colors in his hair, sent in a precise cross which Haji Wright headed very badly and wide.

McKennie -along with Christian Pulisic, the most European and influential of the team- had his chance, but it didn’t go further. And also from Chelsea, at the age of 32, when a cross bar broke through with a left footed shot from the left sector of the wide area.

The game could have ended there. But there were still sixty more of “not much”.

At half-time, Mason Mount featured for almost the only time in the match and took a low shot which Turner deflected in for a corner. The anticipation that was generated around the third World Cup duel between the two had already slipped away like desert sand in the hands of a Bedouin.

Furthermore, the United States was the one to assume the leading role that England never wanted or never figured out how to impose. Aged 15, Los vestidos de azul had already cornered one of the all-time great candidates against their goal and caused concern with spot-kick corners, once the favorite asset of football creators.

The last 20 have been changes and conformism with a 0-0 which, after all, satisfies both a little more to embark on the one-on-one phase. Of the four members of the panel, three already knew they would have to wait until next Tuesday to define their future in the contest.

Only England could call it this Friday, the start of the second round. but that British dream faded during the 90 minutes into a global yawn.

db