Exciting football and plenty of goals
Barring Wales, every other team in Group B lived up to its pre-tournament billing.
While all four teams had managers who have a history of adopting pragmatic, safety-first football, the group offered some exciting football and plenty of goals (16). Barring Wales, every other team lived up to its pre-tournament billing. England waltzed through Iran, which came in under a cloud of controversy and uncertainty before the game, to put down an early marker. England had five different scorers with the teenage midfielder Jude Bellingham showing why there was so much clamour around him. Under-fire boss Gareth Southgate once again played the right cards when it came to international tournament management, as England sailed through the group stages with a near-perfect record. Crucially, Southgate was able to give game time to key members of the squad ahead of the knockouts. The goalless draw against the USA, however, exposed England’s weakness and lack of control in midfield as the cross-atlantic rival overran the team repeatedly.
With the second-youngest squad in this World Cup, the USA had plenty of industry and energy in its football but the goals were lacking. It needed a win in the final game against Iran to ensure qualification and Christian Pulisic was once again the man to deliver the big moment. While the USMNT struggled to score up front, it made things difficult for the opponents to score against it either.
Iran and its players were in a position of having to deal with the rising tensions back home and having to step out on the field to play football. The thrilling win against Wales will be remembered for a long time to come but Team Melli will feel it was a chance missed after failing to get a point against the USA.
Wales’ 64-year wait for a second-ever World Cup appearance was not one to remember on the pitch. Senior stars Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey didn’t have much significant influence as they have done so in the past.