Payback time against Americans, Southgate vows
Their head-to-head record at the World Cup, England coach Gareth Southgate duly noted, favoured the United States.
That’s right. The Americans beat England 1-0 at the 1950 World Cup and the teams played to a 1-all draw in 2010.
Their next match is this morning (NZT) in Qatar, and Southgate told his players to go out and finally get one back.
“Have we ever beaten the States in a major tournament?” Southgate asked during his prematch news conference.
“No, I didn’t think so. So tomorrow we have to try to make history.”
Southgate also poked fun at England’s reputation for building up expectations as they search for their first World Cup title since their only tournament win in 1966.
“We are good at that,” Southgate said. “We are good at
talking highly of ourselves as a nation on the basis of very little evidence. So what we’ve got to do is perform on the field.
“But we’ve got huge respect for our opponent. We know a lot of the players from our league.”
The England team should get a boost from having striker Harry Kane available for the Group B match. Kane, the leading scorer at the 2018 World Cup, didn’t score in the opening 6-2 rout of Iran but injured his left ankle.
“Harry’s good,” Southgate said. “It would be a brave decision to leave him out of the starting (lineup).”
England should also have Harry Maguire back after the defender left the opening match with blurred vision.
At the moment, he’s trying to keep his eyes focused on the World Cup and not the upheaval back at Manchester United.
“I’m here with England,” the defender said. “I’m playing at a World Cup . . . So for me to keep distractions away has been easy.”
A lot has happened back at his club since Maguire flew out to Qatar with the England squad.
Teammate Cristiano Ronaldo had his contract terminated after an explosive interview in which he criticised manager Erik ten Hag, the club’s owners and some players.
That was quickly followed by news that the Glazer family was prepared to sell United as they sought outside investment.
“Yeah, there’s been obviously a lot of talk going off around the club at the moment,” Maguire said, “but I’ve been fully focused on England and that’s my priority.”
Maguire, whose poor form with United led to Ten Hag dropping him, has been a key figure in England’s success at its last two tournaments — reaching the 2018 World Cup semifinals and last year’s European Championship final, which they lost in a penalty shootout to Italy.
“Obviously being picked for your country is a huge privilege,” said Maguire, all set to make his 50th appearance for the national team against the United States.
“It’s the pinnacle of anybody’s footballing career to play at major tournaments for your country, World Cups especially.”