England were held by the United States in their second World Cup Group B match, putting on hold their advancement to the knockout stages.
After their decisive 6-2 victory over Iran on Monday, the Three Lions appeared to be a completely different team, with the USA playing like the superior team on Friday night in Qatar.
The USA would undoubtedly benefit more from a 0-0 draw because Gregg Berhalter’s team now knows that a victory against Iran in their final match on Tuesday will guarantee them a spot in the round of 16.
In Tuesday’s last group match against Wales, Southgate may have considered resting a number of important players, but that possibility was eliminated by a dismal performance overall.
Earlier in the day, Iran defeated Wales 2-0 and maintained their chances of moving on to the knockout rounds while fellow Brits Wales suffered a very devastating loss.
Due to Friday’s outcomes, all four clubs still have a chance to guarantee their place in the knockout round of matches.
As it stand, Southgate and his team are aware that even if they lose to Wales on Tuesday, they would still likely advance because of their substantially stronger goal difference. For Wales to finish ahead of England, a 4-0 victory is required.
Wales will consequently be aiming for runner-up, albeit they most likely need the match between Iran and Wales to result in a draw for them to advance.
Both Iran and the USA will enter the match-up knowing a victory will secure their qualification for the knockout phases, making it an exciting contest.
The first team eliminated from the competition earlier in the day was the host nation, Qatar.
With one match remaining, England leads Group B, but all four teams have a chance to advance to the knockout stages.
What This Means For England And Other Teams in Qatar World Cup Group B
Tiebreakers: The fair play system will be utilized if two or more teams are still tied after accounting for points, goal differential, goals scored, and head-to-head outcomes.
England
If the Three Lions draw with Wales on Tuesday, they will advance.
With a tie, Southgate’s team would increase to five points, and Wales would, at worst, move up to third place on two points.
Only one team can surpass England when Iran and the USA, who are ranked second and third respectively, compete against one another.
Wales can defeat England and still advance. In fact, England would still advance even if Wales defeated them 3-0.
But they must defeat Wales if they want to secure winning the group.
Iran
Regardless of the outcomes of the other games in the group, Carlos Quieroz’s team would qualify after beating Wales with a victory over the United States.
In fact, even if they just managed to tie with the Americans, they would still advance if Wales lost against England.
Iran will be eliminated, though, if the USA beat them and Wales defeats England.
United States
There is just no other way to win; the USA must defeat Iran.
The United States would trail Tuesday’s opponents with a draw because they are now in third place and trail Iran in second.
Wales
To have any chance of moving on to the next round, Wales must defeat England in their final encounter.
They might still have trouble moving forward even then. As previously indicated, they must defeat the Three Lions by a score of 4-0 to finish ahead of them.
If they defeat England by a smaller margin, they will fall short of the Three Lions, while a victory by either the USA or Iran will place them ahead of Wales.
In essence, Wales must triumph AND Iran vs. USA must result in a draw—unless they defeat England by a score of 4-1.
