World Cup 2022 live: England draw against a spirited USA, Wales lose to Iran

England have drawn 0-0 with the USA in a tense showdown between the two nations.

The USA put up a strong fight and were arguably the better team on the night, but were unable to break through with a goal.

England had a few good chances to take the lead themselves but were put under the cosh defensively for much of the game.

With a spirited performance against Iran in the opening match, winning 6-2, many fans will be left disappointed with the performance.

Group B remains tight, with every team - England, USA, Iran and Wales - all still in with a chance of proceeding to the round of 16. It will ensure a nervous final match for all nations involved.

England fans will have to remain on tenterhooks as half time was called as the Three Lions and the USA remained in a 0-0 stalemate.

It’s been a nervy game so far, with the USA arguably having some of the better chances to fire ahead in the match, hitting the woodwork on one occasion.

England became more threatening as the half drew to a close, but there’s still at least 45 minutes to play and, as we’ve seen in other games this tournament, a 0-0 draw at half time doesn’t mean the match will end that way...

Heading into the tournament there was great talk over whether Gareth Southgate would persist with the 5-2-3 formation that he has used in recent tournaments or whether he would move to a four-man defence.

The 52-year-old opted for a 4-3-3 formation against Iran and his Three Lions side looked fluid in possession and a constant threat going forward. If he sticks with that formation it should cause plenty of problems for the United States defence.

Here’s a predicted starting XI from Kurtis Leyland - would you agree?

Writing for our sister website 3addedminutes.com, Jason Jones offers his take on Iran team and their silent protest earlier in the week:

“Given the violent disdain with which the Iranian government continues to treat its people, these implied threats cannot be dismissed as mere trivialities. Even taking Friday morning’s indisposed lip service into account, the national side have made their statement, much to the intimidating chagrin of authorities.

“A team who have drawn widespread ire from protesters for even competing in Qatar, whose defeat against England was cheered by many back home, and who were lambasted for bowing in front of President Raisi as they departed for the tournament, have done more to shed light on, and inspire conversations about, the situation in Iran than anybody else. Their gesture may have been humble and silent, but their bellowing courage is commendable.”

Read his piece in full...

We have also teamed up with TalentHouse, who are producing a daily mural on the World Cup:

Rahman Osman, our reporter in Qatar, has a word of warning for any England fans heading to the stadium...

Football press conferences are notoriously confrontational affairs. A duty that coaches often see as a necessary chore that they just need to get through without any controversies.

However, there was a heartwarming moment during the Netherlands presser yesterday, when young journalist Papa Mahmoud Gueye simply expressed his respect for Dutch coach Louis van Gaal. Watch what happened next...

Qatar’s fears of an early tournament exit have grown as they lost 3-1 to Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha in today’s early afternoon match.

The hosts, who lost their opening Group A game 2-0 to Ecuador on Sunday, went down fighting against the Africa Cup of Nations champions and Mohammed Muntari scored their first World Cup goal.

But Felix Sanchez’s side trailed to Boulaye Dia’s strike at half-time and faced an uphill struggle when former Bristol City striker Famara Diedhiou headed Senegal into a 2-0 lead early in the second period.

Qatar then showed spirit and raised their game, but after Muntari’s thumping header had given the home fans hope, Bamba Dieng swept home Senegal’s game-clinching third goal in the closing stages.

There’s one word that sums that match up for Wales: gutting.

Speaking to the BBC, Wales captain Gareth Bale said: “We are gutted, there is no other way to say it. We fought until the last second and we need to go again.

“We are all gutted but we have to pick ourselves up straight away. It is going to be difficult for us for sure. We will have to see.What can I say? We recover and we have to go again.”

Wales lost 2-0 thanks to goals in the dying minutes of the match, after goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off for a wild kick.

Incredibly, Iran have scored a second goal, in the 100th minute of the match. Game over for Wales.

Heartbreak for Wales. Iran have scored what is surely a winning goal in the very last minute of added time.

It was Cheshmi who found the far corner with an excellent strike.