The abiding memory of England’s previous international clashes with the United States is undoubtedly that most cringe-inducing of fumbles during the 2010 World Cup. A moment that will haunt the dreams of Rob Green forevermore.
But the Three Lions’ record against their cross-pond neighbours actually makes for rather pleasing reading ahead of November’s group-stage clash in Qatar.
England and America have gone head-to-head 11 times between 1950 and 2018. And the USA have come out on top just twice; The very first meeting, just five years after World War 2 came to an end, and all the way back in 1993, when Gareth Southgate was still a baby-faced youngster making his way at Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, that 1-1 draw in South Africa remains the only time England and America have ever shared the spoils. That means, of the 11 times, the two nations have met, the Boys from Blighty have come out on top on no fewer than eight occasions.
What’s more, the aggregate scoreline tips a colossal 39-9 in England’s favour. A 10-0 thumping back in 1964 and an 8-1 obliteration a couple of years later do much of the heavy lifting, of course, but England’s most recent meeting with our Atlantic cousins ended in a convincing, one-sided victory too.
Jesse Lingard, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Callum Wilson were on target as Southgate’s side cruised to a 3-0 win over the USA in a friendly back in November 2018. A lot has changed since then, however.
Lewis Dunk, Harry Winks, Fabian Delph, Dele Alli, Michael Keane and the aforementioned Wilson all started that game. You’d get long odds on any of those even featuring in Southgate’s squad come Qatar.
But while England certainly have superior quality and history on their side, it’s not all good news.
England and the USA have met twice in World Cup action. And, on both occasions, the Three Lions did anything but roar. The lost with a whimper back in 1950, and hardly covered themselves in glory in South Africa either.
A coincidence? Or a bad omen?
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