The 2022 World Cup has reached the second round of group stage games.
And Black Friday featured one of the tournament’s most-anticipated showdowns, when the United States takes on England. It was the two teams’ first World Cup matchup since 2010, when they played to a 1-1 tie.
The young and talented Americans played to a 1-1 tie in their World Cup opener against Wales on Monday. The USMNT and England team played to a scoreless tie in their Group B matchup.
On Thursday, tournament favorites Brazil earned a 2-0 win over Serbia thanks to the goal of the World Cup so far by Richarlison. Cristiano Ronaldo made history by becoming the first men’s player to score a goal in five different World Cups.
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President Biden weighs in on USMNT-England
President Biden was asked about the score of the USA’s match against England on Friday afternoon. “I’d rather it be one nothing, but it’s good. England is tough,” Biden said, according to the White House press pool report.
Before the World Cup began, Biden gave the USMNT a pep talk. “I know you’re the underdog, but I tell you what man, you got some of the best players in the world on your team,” Biden said then.
“You’re representing this country and I know you’re going to play your hearts out, so let’s go shock them all. … Keep trusting in one another, play as hard as you can for you and your families, your teammates, and the whole country is rooting for you.”
– USA TODAY White House Staff
FULL TIME: USMNT 0, England 0
The USMNT and England dueled to a scoreless tie, each earning one point. During stoppage time, England couldn’t convert on a corner kick and their free kick in the 93rd minute was a header by Harry Kane that went wide left.
The Americans are in third place in Group B and must win when they next take on Iran on Tuesday to advance to the knockout round. England plays Wales on Tuesday.
Updated Group B standings
- England — 4 points (+4 goal difference)
- Iran — 3 points (-2)
- USA — 2 points (0)
- Wales — 1 point (-2)
USMNT, England still scoreless in second half
The U.S. have had multiple chances through corner kicks and have not converted. One mistake could turn the match either way. England has been under pressure for the 40 minutes.
The first subs of the game comes in the 68th minute, with England sending Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham off and Jack Grealish and Jordan Henderson on. Weston McKennie was subbed out for Brenden Aaronson in the 77th minute for the USMNT and Gio Reyna made his World Cup debut for the Americans in the 83rd minute.
HALFTIME: USMNT 0, England 0
The United States was more aggressive when they had possession of the ball, missing on several opportunities to get in the net. The USMNT now has six shots and England missed a chance near the half to get on the board.
England dominating action but match still scoreless
England is putting immense pressure on the United States, consistently moving and passing in the offensive zone, but there is still no score halfway through the first 45 minutes.
England has dominated possession of the ball just like they did in their first match against Iran and have three shots on goal, with the USMNT’s two shots on goal, one that was off-target and Weston McKennie shooting high on the other in the 26th minute.
USMNT, England release starting lineups
AL KHOR, Qatar – There’s only one change to the U.S. men’s lineup for the game against England and it is not the one anyone expected.
Haji Wright will start in place of Josh Sargent. Gio Reyna remains on the bench despite coach Gregg Berhalter saying he’s fit to play. Berhalter also opted to stick with Tim Ream, Sergino Dest and Weston McKennie, all of whom are carrying yellow cards and would miss the next game if they pick up another.
England made no changes from the lineup that thrashed Iran 6-2 on Monday, with Harry Kane starting after an injury scare.
– Nancy Armour
USMNT players have ties to England
Had things gone a little differently, four Americans could be playing for England on Friday night rather than trying to beat them.
Yunus Musah, Antonee Robinson, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Gio Reyna were all either born in England or grew up there, making them eligible to represent the Three Lions. But each, for different reasons, chose to play for the United States.
Like the country they represent, the USMNT has always been a melting pot. There are children of immigrants and those whose families have been in the United States for generations. Some know nothing but the United States while others were born or grew up in other countries. Some have been citizens since birth while others have parents, or grandparents, who provided the connection.
No matter how they came to being American, however, they are all equally red, white and blue. — Nancy Armour
FULL TIME: Netherlands 1, Ecuador 1
Netherlands and Ecuador fought to a 1-1 draw on Friday, setting up what should be a tense final day in Group A.
Cody Gakpo (sixth minute) and Enner Valencia (49th) scored the goals and Ecuador pushed hard for a winner in the second half. These two countries are tied atop the group, with Senegal on three points and Qatar eliminated with zero points.
In the group finale, the Netherlands faces Qatar and Ecuador plays Senegal.
Group A standings:
- Netherlands, 4 points, +2 GD
- Ecuador, 4 points, +2 GD
- Senegal, 3 points, 0 GD
- Qatar, 0 points, -4 GD (ELIMINATED)
Goal Ecuador! Enner Valencia scores to make it 1-1
Ecuador’s Enner Valencia jumped on a rebound to tap in the equalizer in the 49th minute, finally capitalizing on the pressure his team had been applying in the first half.
Valencia scored twice in the opener against Qatar and his three goals lead the tournament with the second round of group games underway. Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer, Valencia also had three goals in the 2014 World Cup.
The 33-year-old currently plays for Fenerbahçe in Turkey, having spent time in the Premier League (with West Ham and Everton) and Mexico.
HALFTIME: Netherlands 1, Ecuador 0
Ecuador thought they had an equalizer in first half-stoppage time, but Pervis Estupiñán’s goal was called off due to a teammate in offside position screening the Netherlands keeper.
Cody Gakpo’s goal in the sixth minute was the only shot the Netherlands managed in the first half, while Ecuador enjoyed 51% possession and took six shots.
Cody Gakpo gives Netherlands early lead vs. Ecuador
It didn’t take long for the scoring to begin in the crucial Group A clash with Cody Gakpo scoring on a beautiful shot from outside the box in the sixth minute against Ecuador.
Gakpo, 23, scored in the Netherlands’ opening win over Ecuador and the PSV forward is the tournament’s early breakout star, expected to receive interest from the world’s biggest clubs in the months/years to come.
For Netherlands, Memphis Depay is on the bench again. He was a substitute, coming on in the 62nd minute during the win over Senegal. He previously dealt with a hamstring injury.
If Netherlands beats Ecuador, it will become the first team to qualify for the 2022 knockout round.
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Brazil star Neymar underwent tests and was receiving treatment at the team’s hotel Friday after injuring his right ankle in the 2-0 defeat of Serbia in their World Cup opener. The team did not give any detail on the extent of his injury.
Neymar sprained his ankle in the second half of a bruising match against Serbia on Thursday. He was in tears while sitting on the bench and after the match limped off the field on his way to the locker room.
“Difficult game, but it was important to win,” Neymar said on his social media accounts not long after he left Lusail Stadium without talking to the media. “Congratulations team, first step taken. Six more to go.”
In an Instagram story after the match, Neymar posted a text that mentioned the need to “have faith.” — Associated Press
Another performance from a substitute player. This time for Senegal. Illiman Ndiaye served the assist to Bamba Dieng, who redirected the cross past goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham.
Dieng, 22, also scored a penalty in Senegal’s African Cup of Nations victory over Egypt earlier this year.
Substitute Mohammed Muntari drives a header in from a cross by Ismail Mohammad for Qatar’s first-ever World Cup goal. Senegal’s defense caught relaxed with its lead.
With the second phase of the World Cup group stage underway, it’s already time to think about what’s next.
Teams play one match against the other teams in their group and the top two teams with the most points from each group advance to the knockout stage.
- A victory equals three points.
- A draw equals one point.
- A loss equals no points.
If the top two teams are tied in points, the first place team is the team with a higher goal differential (the difference between how many goals a team conceded and scored in its games) or whichever team won the head-to-head matchup. — Orlando Mayorquin
Senegal’s leading goalscorer from World Cup qualifying, Famara Diédhiou, heads in a corner from Ismail Jakobs.
Senegal has the possession (61%) and shot (7 to 2) advantage, but Qatar had a potential penalty in the box not called before Senegal found the opening goal.
Qatar’s Assim Madibo sprinted down the left side of the box but before he could get a shot or cross off, Ismaila Sarr made contact. It was a close call, but the referee did not go to video review and play continued.
Senegal striker Boulaye Dia takes advantage of Qatar’s defensive mistake. Boualem Khoukhi whiffed a clearence in the box. Dia collected and hit the upper corner to give his country the lead.
Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was shown a red card in the 86th minute after coming far off his line and clattering into Mehdi Taremi. Roozbeh Cheshmi slammed home a winner from the top of the box, followed minutes later by Ramin Rezaeian adding an insurance goal on the break.
The results mean England can effectively qualify for the knockout round with a draw against the US on Friday — they could essentially win the group with a victory.
For the US, a draw or loss against England is now essentially the same result. Absent a win against the Three Lions, Gregg Berhalter’s men will likely have the ability to qualify from Group B with a win over Iran on Tuesday.
Iran is in great shape, looking likely to qualify with just a draw against the U.S.
“This is just the beginning, but we need to finish the job,” coach Carlos Quieroz said after the game. — Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire
Qatar looks to bounce back after becoming the first host to lose the tournament opener — and avoid being the second after South Africa in 2010 to not make it to the knockout rounds.
Qatar (5-3-2): Barsham; Ahmed, Hassan, Khoukhi, Ishmail Mohamad, Miguel; Madibo, Boudiaf, Al-Haydos; Afif, Almoez Ali
Senegal (4-2-3-1): Mendy; Diallo, Jakobs, Koulibaly, Sabaly; Mendy, Gueye; Sarr, Diedhiou, Diatta; Dia
This FIFA World Cup was supposed to be a celebration of Lionel Messi, a return to dominance by Brazil or a coronation of France as a team for the ages. Any of which could still happen.
In the early going, though, it’s been straight-up bedlam, as if the NCAA basketball tournament broke out on a soccer field, Nancy Armour writes.
Iran’s political turmoil cast a shadow also over Iran’s second match at the World Cup on Friday, with pro-government fans harassing anti-government fans outside the stadium in Qatar.
Some Iran fans confiscated Persian pre-revolutionary Iranian flags from supporters entering the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium and shouted insults at those wearing shirts with the slogan of the country’s protest movement, “Woman, Life, Freedom.”
Small mobs of men angrily chanted “The Islamic Republic of Iran” at women giving interviews about the protests to foreign media outside the stadium.
Shouting matches erupted outside the security checkpoint at the between fans screaming “Women, Life, Freedom” and others shouting back “The Islamic Republic.” — Associated Press
After 90 minutes of pressing Wales, Iran scored two goals in three minutes of stoppage time. The second half was all Iran. A red card for Wales goalkeeper Hennessey was just the opening Iran needed to secure victory.
Iran outshot Wales 21 attempts to 10.
The result means the USMNT’s future is in their own hands with a game Friday against England and Tuesday against Iran.
Hennessey received a red card, which means he’s out for his next game against England. MeanwhileIran’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh was shown a yellow against Wales, which means he’s also out for his next game against USA.
Taremi on the attack for Iran with only Hennessey in the way. The Welsh goalkeeper lifted his leg and collided with Taremi. Originally shown a yellow, the referee took to video review and changed yellow for red to send off Hennessey. Wales is down to 10 men and Danny Ward steps in goal.
Iran’s skill at the front, Azmoun, comes off the field. He had one of Iran’s closes chances with his breakaway, but looked tired as he walked off the field.
He finishes the day with four shots, two on target, and 22 touches. Iran has more than double Wales shots.
The two best chances so far for Iran came early in the second half on a breakaway run by Sardar Azmoun. The striker wheeled by Wales defense but his shot clanged off the right post. Teammate Ali Gholizadeh followed up with a second shot off the left post.
Before the game, Iranian players sang the national anthem after skipping the tradition during their first game against England.
It actually is possible to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s not in your best interests, at this World Cup.
Hours after European soccer authorities caved to FIFA’s threats over plans to show a small token of support for the LGBTQ community, Iran’s players risked the ire of their government by refusing to sing the national anthem before Monday’s game. The European teams backed off because they were oh-so-afraid of jeopardizing their chances at the World Cup, while the Iranian players went ahead despite knowing security forces back home have arrested, beaten, shot at and even killed those who have dared protest the death of Mahsa Amini. — Nancy Armour wrote Monday.
With Iran and Wales in a group with England and the U.S., what is the best result for the USMNT? Yahoo Sports reporter Henry Bushnell ranked the most favorable outcomes:
Both teams had their chances in the first half. While Wales dominated the possession statistics and entered the attacking third more times, Iran took advantage of the counter attack. Iran built into the game, making the most of the sun being in the eyes of Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
Iran had two chances in stoppage time. The first game from a cross by Ezatolahi, but Azmoun couldn’t get on the end of the pass. The second came when Rodon fouled Taremi, awarding Iran a free kick. After dangerously bouncing around the box, the ball bounced out to Nourollahi whose long-range shot was saved by Hennessey.
Iran was 3-0 down at halftime against England Monday, if the team loses to Wales they are effectively eliminated from the tournament with one game left.
Welsh star Gareth Bale got a left foot on a headed pass from 6-foot-5 Kieffer Moore, Hosseini stands tall and makes the save. Wales has the possession advantage so far, but Iran is making the most of the counter attack.
Wales got an early warning after Iran struck first. Sardar Azmoun sent a through ball to Ali Gholizaduh, who was offside when he made an easy tap in.
The goal was quickly disallowed.
Five changes for Iran from Monday, most notable is in goal. Alireza Beiranvand remains out after his apparent head injury during the 6-2 loss to England. Hossein Hosseini starts in goal. Iran also added more of a defensive shape to their formation.
Iran starting XI (4-3-3): Hosseini; Mohammadi, Hosseini, Pouraliganji, Rezaeian; Hajsafi, Ezatolahi, Nourollahi; Taremi, Azmoun, Gholizadeh
For Wales, striker Daniel James takes the field of Kieffer Moore.
Want to watch every game of the U.S. men’s national team return, see what’s likely Lionel Messi’s last go with Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo with Portugal or witness France’s title-defense run? Add matches to your calendar and keep up to date with the latest tournament news.
Wales vs. Iran — 5 a.m.
Wales snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat with a late penalty kick goal against the United States on Monday, and will look to carry that momentum into a matchup against an Iran squad that got routed by England. Making matters worse for Iran is that goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand will miss Friday’s game, giving likely replacement Hossein Hosseini a tall task against Welsh star Gareth Bale.
Time: Friday, Nov. 25 at 5 a.m. ET
Stadium: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
How to watch: FS1 and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock (Spanish)
Qatar vs. Senegal — 8 a.m.
Qatar made history when it kicked off the World Cup on Sunday, becoming the first host country to lose the opening game. It was an underwhelming performance against Ecuador, and the loss puts Qatar in danger of also being only the second host after South Africa in 2010 to be eliminated in the group stage. Friday’s task will not be easy, Senegal boasts an array of players from the top leagues in England, Spain, Italy and France even if it is missing injured forward Sadio Mane.
Time: Friday, Nov. 25 at 8 a.m. ET
Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
How to watch: FS1 and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock (Spanish)
Netherlands vs. Ecuador — 11 a.m.
This matchup could very well decide the Group A winner. Powered by a brace by striker Enner Valencia, Ecuador disappointed the hosts with a 2-0 win in the World Cup opener on Sunday. Netherlands is coming off a 2-0 win over a Senegal that boasts a tremendous amount of talent. A win here would further cement the Netherlands’ expected status as a World Cup title contender.
Time: Friday, Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. ET
Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
How to watch: FOX and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock (Spanish)
England vs. United States — 2 p.m.
With the USMNT opening with a 1-1 draw with Wales and England routing Iran, 6-2, in their World Cup opener, the tournament hits a crucial juncture for both teams. While England can move a step closer to winning Group B with a win, the U.S. will look to at least keep hopes to reach the Round 16 alive. A win or draw would put the Americans in decent position to be one of the two teams to advance. However, this is a loaded England team with hopes that go far beyond just advancing to the knockout rounds.
Time: Friday, Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. ET
Stadium: Al Bayt Stadium
How to watch: FOX and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock (Spanish)