England's Previous World Cup Misery vs USA Makes For Tough Reading

We look back on three famous World Cup matches between the two nations
08:00, 25 Nov 2022

For only the third time in men's World Cup history, England face the United States of America tonight. It’s a fairly friendly rivalry that goes back centuries and, from the Boston Tea Party to today’s current dramatic political climate, the two nations have been so intrinsically linked throughout the years. 

But despite arguing about the name of the sport itself, the two men’s teams have only met twice at a World Cup before, one of them being one of the most famous World Cup games of all time. 

1950 - England stunned in first World Cup 

England rocked up at the 1950 World Cup like a country ready to rock the world. They would show the world who was boss. Of course, the Three Lions hadn't bothered to turn up for the 1930, 1934 or 1938 editions but by the 50s they realised this was a party worth getting involved in. 

Led by Walter Winterbottom, England turned up with aspirations of winning the whole thing. They'd beaten Italy 4-0 and Portugal 10-0 and were widely regarded as the kings of football at the time. 

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In a group with Spain, USA and Chile, they should have sealed top spot with ease. Having beaten Chile 2-0 in the opener, England were on track, until they came up against the Americans. 

Wearing the now infamous blue shirts, England absolutely battered the US goal, hitting the woodwork twice in the opening moments. But on the half hour mark, Joe Gaetjens got his head to a long range shot and steered the ball past Bert Williams to put USA 1-0 up. 

On hearing the news on local radio, Brazilians rushed into the stadium to cheer on the underdogs. With every failed England attack, the locals roared, and the Three Lions couldn't find a goal. 

It was and still is one of the greatest sporting upsets of all time. It barely made a dent in the US at the time, given the lack of interest in the sport, but now is looked back upon fondly - especially since the USA hosted the World Cup in 1994. 

This was a bad one for the Three Lions, who were dumped out at the group stage after losing to Spain. 

2010 - Rob Green’s Rustenberg disaster

60 years on, England came into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a change in tact. The Golden Generation had failed, so had Steve Mclaren, and so in came disciplinarian Fabio Capello. 

The Italian boss banned ketchup and butter and any sort of fun around the camp, but it seemed to work as England went unbeaten in qualifying. This new no-nonsense regime was perfect at whipping the players into shape... until they reached the World Cup. 

After being holed up in their training camp, England began their campaign against the USA in Rustenberg. Just four minutes in, Emile Heskey fed Steven Gerrard and the England captain slotted home to give the Three Lions the perfect start, even if viewers on ITV HD didn't get to see it. They were instead being shown a terribly timed car advert, but with how the rest of the match unfolded, they'd have wished the game never came back on. 

Just before the break, Clint Dempsey took a pot shot from range and it squirmed through the legs of Rob Green in the England goal. Despite his desperate dive, it crossed the line. 

England stumbled to a draw and although they got out the group this World Cup never got going. They were dumped out by Germany in the last 16 after Frank Lampard's infamous goal wasn't given. 

That's it for the men's meetings, but the women have also met at a World Cup before. 

2019 - Semi-final heartbreak for Lionesses

The USA may be relative minnows in the men's game, but the women are on top of the world. They've now won the World Cup four times and in 2019, they broke English hearts. 

Phil Neville's side had battled their way to the final four and there was genuine belief they could go all the way. 

Lucy Bronze was absolutely outstanding, but in the semi-final they were agonisingly beaten by the US.

Christen Press put them in front before Ellen White bagged an equaliser. Then came Alex Morgan's winning goal and that iconic 'drinking tea' celebration.

That stirred the drama online, but there was still drama to come on the pitch. England won a late penalty and captain Steoh Houghton stepped up only to see her effort saved. It was so near yet so far for the Lionesses, and England still haven't beaten the USA at any World Cup, having also lost 3-0 back in 2007.

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