USA kick sand in face of Gareth Southgate's flops as England fail to use star talents

USA kick sand in face of Gareth Southgate's flops as England fail to use star talents,USA won the battle of soccer vs football as Gareth Southgate did not use the tools at his expense well enough - with England slumping to a 0-0 draw against their World Cup Group B opponents

USA kick sand in face of Gareth Southgate’s flops as England fail to use star talents

England's stars came out to play in the desert of Doha. But it was the USA who earned their stripes after kicking sand in the face of Gareth Southgate's flops.

The Yanks must be sick of the sight of turkeys following their annual Thanksgiving celebrations this week.

But there were more of them on the menu inside the impressive Al Bayt Stadium last night – and all of them were dressed in white.

READ MORE: Three things Gareth Southgate got wrong and one right as England draw 0-0 with USA in frustrating World Cup encounter

Was this really the same team that had hit Iran for six in their opening Group B game, to suggest this could be the best Christmas ever for England supporters?

Alarmingly, the answer was yes.

Editorial Use OnlyMandatory Credit: Photo by Bagu Blanco/REX/Shutterstock (13637755ba)Mason Mount of EnglandEngland v USA, FIFA World Cup 2022, Group B, Football, Al Bayt Stadium, Ar Khor, Qatar - 25 Nov 2022 — Mason Mount did not have a great day (Image: Bagu Blanco/REX/Shutterstock)

Southgate had stuck with those who looked so vibrant and impressive to kick start their World Cup campaign in irresistible fashion.

Why wouldn't he?

But before the half time most of England's substitutes were warming up as a stuffing of astonishing proportions reared its head. England were supposed to have had a score to settle dating back to 1950.

AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Phil Foden of England reacts in the dugout prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) — Phil Foden was left on the bench looking on (Image: Getty Images)

That was when a USA team including a postman and funeral director beat the Three Lions in Brazil to produce one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.

And in more modern times the Yanks made England slip up again when goalkeeper Robert Green's howler allowed them to secure a 1-1 draw at South Africa 2012.

That was when Fabio Capello took the oldest-ever England squad to a Finals – and one still including most of the so-called 'Golden Generation.'

Southgate was developing a genuine one of his own – and these current Lions were blessed with much more time ahead of them than those did who Capello flopped with. But there was little of the stuff available here, as Gregg Berhalter's underdogs hustled, hurried and hassled England to death from first whistle to last.

AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Harry Kane of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) — Harry Kane failed with a header late on (Image: Getty Images)

England looked laboured and listless – and it was concerning. Kieran Trippier was having one of those nights to forget, while Mason Mount wasn't fit to wear the shirt.

In fact, one of the highlights of the opening half from an England perspective was when a weaving run saw Harry Maguire do his best Diego Maradona impression on the second anniversary of the icon's death.

How Southgate needed some of that inspiration and magic here that Maradona used to thrill us with. Instead, the Yanks remained in control.

Christian Pulisic headed wide then rattled the woodwork, while Weston McKennie blew the best chance of all. Southgate must have been desperate to haul his statues into the dressing room and provide them with the plan to put things right.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Luca Bruno/AP/REX/Shutterstock (13637936ih)England's Harry Maguire, right, vies for the ball with Haji Wright of the United States during the World Cup group B soccer match between England and The United States, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, QatarWCup England United States Soccer, Al Khor, Qatar - 25 Nov 2022 — Harry Maguire was among England's best players (Image: Luca Bruno/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

But the second half started off how the first one had finished, with the USA on top and McKennie failing to hit the target. And this was the most alarming thing of all – it looked like Southgate had still not worked out how to get control of a side ranked 11 places below them.

How good of England to come out in support of Black Friday – because this was starting to look dark indeed. The misery continued – and so did Southgate's refusal to make changes.

Well over an hour had gone before Jack Grealish was sent on and Marcus Rashford arrived 10 minutes later. It's quite a stunning and spectacular effort to be blessed with so much talent – but still look this bad.

Pulisic whipped up his own fans and England's American dream was turning into a total nightmare. No wonder the USA's Tyler Adams had claimed in the build up to be more scared of spiders than of facing Southgate's Three Lions.

And on this evidence, it was enough to give all those associated with England the right creepy crawlies.