Edgy England on verge of World Cup last 16 after fortunate draw with USA

England were flat, moving the ball backwards and sideways too often. They could not get around the blue shirts of the United States, failing to stretch them and it very quickly turned into a slog, marked by a lack of imagination.

The USA will take tremendous heart into their showdown with Iran in the final round of group games. On this evidence, they will back themselves to get the win they need.

With the retractable roof open, a cool breeze circulated. Southgate had noted how some of his best football experiences had come on nights like these, the colours vivid, the pitch pristine. This was not one of them.

The big one followed a low cross from the right and there was McKennie, sniffing out space. His first-time shot was high and wasteful. Christian Pulisic bought a yard from Trippier and unloaded a shot from the left that rattled the crossbar and how the Chelsea winger would like his time again when he rose unmarked to meet a cross from the right. The connection was scruffy, the ball coming off his shoulder and flying off target.

Shaw teed up Saka, who lifted high, towards the end of the half and Mason Mount extended Matt Turner but England had to do more.

The USA grew in assurance. Their supporters turned up the volume and Pulisic urged them to rouse themselves further when he took a succession of second-half corners. He believed that the breakthrough was coming.

England lived a little dangerously on those corners, surviving with last-ditch headers. Jordan Pickford flapped at another. The USA counter-press became a defining motif of the game and it was startling to think, as the clock reached the halfway point of the second half, that England had barely got out of their half since the restart. The energy came from the USA, particularly Tyler Adams, a blaze of industry in front of the defence.