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Five areas where England v USA will be won and lost

Five areas where England v USA will be won and lost - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Five areas where England v USA will be won and lost - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

England's second game of the 2022 Qatar World Cup is against the USA, a team they have never beaten on the biggest stage. Here's where the match will be decided.

Central midfield battle

Gareth Southgate will know all about Yunus Musah, who was in England youth teams and was on course for the seniors until USA moved for him in 2020. The former Arsenal midfielder, now at Valencia, will be the driving force in Gregg Berhalter’s midfield, protecting his backline but also moving his team up the pitch.

For a teenager he has maturity to play in his position and will be competing for dominance with fellow 19-year-old Jude Bellingham. The way Bellingham and Declan Rice combined as a duo was a feature of the victory over Iran, with Mason Mount adding energy when he dropped into deeper positions.

Bellingham’s runs forward adds to Southgate’s attack. With USA captain Tyler Adams also in that position with Juventus’ Weston McKennie, it will be in these central areas where the most important battles of the match will take place.

Transitions

USA players felt they missed opportunities in transition against Wales in their opening game in Qatar, particularly during the second half when they lost their one-goal lead.

“We had chances where we just weren't particularly clean in the final third and the final pass was a little off or the timing was wrong,” said USA goalkeeper Matt Turner. “The small details you have in the World Cup where margins are so thin to score a goal. We know we'll have to be better in transition against England if we want to score goals and we've learned a lot.”

The key for both teams will be how they use the ball in the few seconds after they have won possession. England showed their ruthless side against Iran when they established their lead through clinical finishing. There may be fewer chances in this game and it will require a cool head in the penalty area to finish off moves.

The big man up top

Wales brought on Kieffer Moore for Dan James at half time against the USA and and changed the angle of attack. Instead of James’ speed looking to go through USA, they had a physical presence up front, with the Bournemouth striker able to take direct balls and hold up play for others to support.

Harry Kane is not a typical target man, but he can play in a similar role. Not only will he hold up the ball, Kane will drop deep into the No 10 role and create chances for others. He showed he is an excellent crosser of the ball for the assist laid on for Raheem Sterling. And of course he has Wayne Rooney’s 53-goal record for England in his sights and will be getting in the penalty area to try and finish off moves too.

USA's flanks

Timothy Weah got his goal against Wales from a central position but he also had success down the right flank, which will bring Luke Shaw into the game, especially as the Manchester United full-back will push forward like he did against Iran when he produced the cross for Bellingham’s opener.

Christian Pulisic also found himself in dangerous areas at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium and he will be one of the attacking threats the US will look to play through to get close to Jordan Pickford’s goal. England’s full-backs were a feature of their opening Group B win, with their support allowing Bukayo Saka and Sterling to flourish. But the US will be looking to exploit any space behind them when they move forward to attack.

The dreaded Var

England’s staff have tried to get a gauge on what will be penalised at this tournament. They were highlighted as a team guilty of blocking players at set-pieces, sometimes from offside positions, when referee chief Pierluigi Collina was highlighting issues his officials will face.

Southgate’s team can point to the Var going against them in the first match, with Harry Maguire clearly held at a corner and a penalty conceded by John Stones where it is still unclear how the decision was made.

USA’s foul on Gareth Bale for the Wales equaliser was more straightforward. But there is the potential for the Qatar version of Stockley Park to have a big bearing on the game.