In the first game on Friday, Iran beat Wales 2-0 After exciting late goals from Ruzbeh Cesme and Ramin Rezaian at Al-Rayyan Stadium.
Iran He had better chances, hitting the woodwork on several occasions, but luck seemed to smile on Welsh, though Wayne HennessyLate red card. However, Çeşme’s 99th-minute strike from outside the area gave Iran a famous victory, as Rezaian finished off a counter-attack.
despite England against the United States Needs a little tweaking — more on that later — the result made it clear what the USMNT needed to do if they wanted to escape the group stages.
The USMNT has successfully reached the Knockout Stage six out of 10 world Cup Tournaments you have qualified for.
They will pass if they win England?
Not quite – but almost. That would put the USMNT at four points, England at three, Iran at three, and Wells at one point.
Group B if the USMNT wins
| Team | w | Dr | The | points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
United State |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
|
England |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Iran |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Wells |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
The USMNT plays Iran in their final group match, and a point in that match will ensure progression, while a win will see them win the group. England play Wales in the final group match.
However, if Iran beats the USMNT, Greg Berhalter’s team will be fired if England beats Wales.
What about a tie?
It makes the situation somewhat stark. England will get four points, Iran will get three, the USMNT will get two and Wales only one.
Group B if the USMNT is tied
| Team | w | Dr | The | points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
England |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
|
Iran |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
USMNT |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Wells |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Simply put, a win against Iran would affect the USMNT, though whether it pans out as group winners depends on the England v Wales result.
However, any other result would see the US team out.
Did the USMNT come out with a loss?
This is where it gets trickier. Their fate will be taken out of their hands.
Group B if the USMNT loses
| Team | w | Dr | The | points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
England |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
Iran |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
USMNT |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Wells |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
England will qualify at the top of the group with six points, with Iran on three points, and Wales and USMNT on one point each.
The USMNT needs to beat Iran, then hope Wales fail to beat England. If Wales beat England, the USMNT requires goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded) to be better than Wales, as the two teams will be tied at four points.
Who can play the USMNT in the Knockouts?
They will play one of the teams from Group A – which includes the hosts QatarThe HollandAnd the EcuadorAnd the Senegal.
If the USMNT finishes second, their potential opponent will be the Netherlands. They have lost four of their five matches against the Netherlands, but won their last 4-3 in 2015.
If the USMNT wins the group, the most likely opponents are Ecuador or Senegal, who play in the final round of group matches on Tuesday to determine progression. They have won five, drawn five and lost five to Ecuador, but have never played Senegal.
What is the history of England vs USMNT in the World Cup?
England did not play in a World Cup for the first time until 1950, and their first ever match in the tournament was against England United Statewho entered the game in Belo Horizonte as massive underdogs.
However, a 38th-minute goal from USMNT striker Joe Gaetjens gave his side a famous victory, and saw England knocked out at the group stage.
England only lost on another occasion to the United States – a friendly in 1993 – but faced them again at the 2010 World Cup. Although Steven Gerrard gave England an early lead, an error from Rob Green allowed Clint Dempsey to equalise. The USMNT would go on to win the series.
Athletic Explore Ollie Kai’s rivalry in more detail over here.
(Photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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