Rashford with statement against Wales – USA survives “final”

The team led by still goalless captain Harry Kane defeated Wales 3-0 (0-0) in Al-Rajjan on Tuesday evening and finished the preliminary round as group winners with seven points. Marcus Rashford (50th minute/68th) and Phil Foden (51st) scored a double strike in a very short space of time to give the Three Lions a deserved victory in front of 44 spectators. England will now face Senegal in the first knockout round on Sunday (297 p.m.).

With a newly formed team, the English struggled with old problems in the first half. Playing with the handbrake on, there was rarely a breakthrough against the Welsh.

The English didn't give Wales a chance. © APA/afp / JAVIER SORIANO

Rashford missed by far the best chance before the break when he was denied by the Welsh goalie in front of Danny Ward after assists from Harry Kane (10'). In the 38th minute, the “Three Lions” managed a remarkable attack across several stations, with Foden finishing with a shot well over the crossbar. A few seconds later, a side kick from Rashford missed the target just as clearly.

First, Rashford sank a free kick taken by Foden on the edge of the penalty area in the goalkeeper's corner (50th). A few seconds later, the Manchester United professional managed to win the ball against Ben Davies, Kane played an optimal Stangl pass and Foden made it 2-0 from close range. Wales were eliminated as bottom of the group The Welsh, led by star striker Gareth Bale, who was substituted at half-time, said goodbye to the much-awaited first World Cup since 1 after three preliminary round games with one point and only one penalty goal in a 1-1958 draw against the USA. Wales have not won against their British rivals since 1984. A surprise like the one at the 2016 European Championship, when Bale and Co. sensationally reached the semi-finals, was not achieved this time.

After the double strike, the game was over. England went into energy-saving mode, but still made it 3-0. Rashford let Connor Roberts out and hit between Ward's legs. It was the 25-year-old's third World Cup goal, which puts him at the top of the scoring list alongside Kylian Mbappe (France), Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) and the already eliminated Enner Valencia (Ecuador).

USA struggles to reach the round of 16 With a painful goal, Christian Pulisic led the USA into the World Cup round of 1 in the explosive group final against Iran. In the politically charged duel that attracted particular attention from the world public, the former Borussia Dortmund professional scored the acclaimed winning goal (0th minute) in a 1-0 (38-2) draw on Tuesday. As second in the group, the USA will face the Netherlands in the round of 0 on Saturday, who won their group after a XNUMX-XNUMX win against tournament hosts Qatar.

Fair play on the pitch between the USA and Iran. © APA/afp / FADEL SENNA

24 years after Iran's 2-1 victory at the 1998 World Cup, this time the Americans celebrated a prestigious success after a dramatic final phase. After the US team missed the World Cup in Russia four years ago, they are now back in the knockout round, as they were last at the tournament in Brazil in 2014.

In the scene of the day, Pulisic threw himself into the ball after a beautiful combination via Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest and collided with Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand. Five minutes later, the 24-year-old limped onto the pitch of the Al-Tuhmama Stadium again in front of 42 spectators. After the break he was unable to continue due to an abdominal injury.

On the pitch, despite the game's overwhelming importance, the focus was on sport due to the serious political differences between the USA and Iran - as desired by Berhalter and his Iranian counterpart Carlos Queiroz. Despite the frenetic cheering, drumming and horns of the vast majority of Iranian fans, the team's selection of two-time tournament goalscorer Mehdi Taremi had a difficult time against the Americans, who were more structured and calm, but turned up more after the break and put up a lot of effort Devotion against the World Cup exit.

The many Iranian fans in green, white and red did not give up their loud support from the stands - nor did the team on the pitch. The football-crazy country, in which the release of national player Voria Ghafouri and Parvis Borumand was announced on Tuesday, was excited in vain in the end. The USA will now face the Netherlands in the round of 16.

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Rashford with statement against Wales – USA survives “final”

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