Joe: We need performance of our lives

JOE Allen believes Wales need the “performance of their lives” to beat England and make World Cup progress, writes Phil Blanche.

Wales must beat England for the first time in 38 years tonight to be in with a chance of making the knockout stages.

Even then, unless England are beaten by a four-goal margin, Wales will need Iran and the USA to draw their final match to make the round of 16 in Qatar.

“I think everyone is hurting because of the situation we find ourselves in and the disappointment of the result (losing 2-0 to Iran) and only having one point after two games,” said Allen, who returned as a substitute in Friday’s defeat after two months out with a hamstring problem.

“That’s the hurt at the moment. It’s a feeling of missed opportunity in the first two games.

“We’ve had the time needed to digest that disappointment.

“Our focus now moves onto putting in the work and preparing for the performance of our lives against England.”

England have recorded six successive victories since Wales last beat their neighbours, 1-0 at Wrexham in May 1984 in the now defunct Home Championship.

Their last competitive meeting was at Euro 2016 when Daniel Sturridge scored a stoppage-time winner to secure a 2-1 England win, a game that Swansea midfielder Allen played in.

Playing down the British ‘derby’ factor, Allen said: “I don’t think we could be more motivated. We’re in the World Cup and have to win. Regardless of who we play in it, we all know what’s at stake and what a huge moment it is for our nation.

“It’s about putting everything into it. Ideally you want it to be in your hands, but this is the situation we find ourselves in. While there’s still a glimmer of a chance of going through we’ve got to throw everything at it.”

Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey have failed to make a real World Cup impact after being Wales’ standard-bearers for the past decade or so. Bale did convert the penalty that secured a 1-1 draw against the States, but the pair have been off the pace after coming into the tournament with minimum game time.

Defender Ben Davies said: “Gareth and Aaron have turned up for Wales over and over again.

“They have shown the quality they have and, to be honest, I don’t think we’d be here without them. To criticise them in any way is probably very unjust. I think we have to put our faith in them.”