Three things Gareth Southgate got wrong and one right as England held 0-0 by USA

Three things Gareth Southgate got wrong and one right as England held 0-0 by USA,England were held to a dour goal-less draw with their Atlantic cousins in a performance reminiscent of their Nations League campaign - here's what manager Gareth Southgate got right and wrong

Three things Gareth Southgate got wrong and one right as England held 0-0 by USA

England were held to a 0-0 draw with the USA.

Gareth Southgate led England to a brilliant 6-2 win over Iran in their opening World Cup match – but they could not continue such form against the USA.

His side had never beaten the nation in a World Cup, and they could not undo such a curse in Qatar..

The Three Lions will have to wait until their third and final group stage game – against close rivals Wales – to ensure they do progress into the last 16 of the tournament.

The USA controlled the game for the most part – and it was only one Harry Maguire who came away with any real credibility.

Here's three things Southgate got wrong and one he got right.

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Getting England to set the tempo

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 played some decent passes from the back (Image: Luca Bruno/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Things were good in the early stages. Harry Kane was snubbed of an opening goal on nine minutes, but England continued their push from the subsequent corner.

Harry Maguire, often panned at club-level but not for England, was seen breaking through and forging a neat little dribble before missing on the cut-back. In fact, all the centre-backs were able to get up the pitch and play in an advanced position.

Southgate mentioned before the game the USA were athletic, but he was able to break them down using the technical ability of all his men.

Losing their mettle

Mason Mount had an underwhelming display for the Three Lions (Image: Bagu Blanco/REX/Shutterstock)

England soon become lethargic as the half progressed – with the USA being able to produce the best chance of the period: Weston McKennie really should have buried a great chance, but it sailed over the bar.

It was a far-cry from the showing against Iran and the half ended, really, with England being lucky not to go behind after 45 minutes.

It was a frustrating period for the Three Lions, with questions asked about why Phil Foden wasn't started in the game – with perhaps the disappointing Mason Mount left on the bench instead of picked in the starting XI.

Being stubborn with subs

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) — Maddeningly, Phil Foden was an unused sub (Image: Getty Images)

The USA increased the pressure throughout the second half. England looked lost at sea. There were plenty of calls to bring on a sub as the whole team looked out of place. Jack Grealish and Jordan Henderson eventually came on – but it took until the 68th minute for that to happen, leaving Three Lions fans frustrated, to say the least.

Grealish looked positive – something we have yet to see so far this season at club level. But that was the extent of it. Meanwhile City star man Phil Foden and Liverpool's main creative outlet Trent Alexander-Arnold were not called upon.

Failing to unlock the talent in England's attack

Harry Kane could not find the net as England were held to a draw (Image: Getty Images)

Regardless of the lack of correct subs, Southgate did not manage to get the likes of Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling ticking in the right way.

They created no real chances of note – other than Kane's late header – and were bettered in almost every department. Arguably, they could count themselves lucky to just get a draw.