Declan Rice and England had a night to forget against the USA.
The Three Lions drew the game 0-0, in what was a dour, dismal game of football.
So many clashes in Qatar have been exactly like this, with each team failing to find a way through the other.
Rice looked completely overwhelmed in midfield, to the point that Gareth Southgate had to bring Jordan Henderson off the bench to regain some control of the middle of the pitch.
Declan did pass the ball well but he looked overawed defensively and was guilty of a dire performance, much like many of his team-mates.
Gareth Southgate’s side were too turgid and failed to truly stretch their opponents, in what was a remarkable turnaround from the vibrant football involved in beating Iran 6-2.
This was a woeful game, and England will now need to avoid a heavy defeat by Wales to guarantee qualification to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
I don’t agree that Rice was totally overwhelmed in midfield. I thought he helped control the game. From his deep lying base he helped defensively all over the pitch. A stat I saw from the game said he covered more distance than any other player on the pitch. There’s no doubting how important he is to this England. I think we could easily have lost that game without him.
Let’s be honest here, not a great night for England but for Dec being with a midfield partner who watched the opposition, the ball and world stroll past him he worked a double shift!
Yes a few wobbles but to be honest who played well? I think Declan had a decent game some good things some not so but lack of support from your team mates still makes the man a diamond in what was a rough game!
It was a bad performance all round – England lacked ideas and a game plan! Surprisingly the only one to come out of it with any credit was Harry Maguire – how he didn’t get the MOM was a mystery! 🤔