FIFA World Cup, England and USA reach R16: Key stats
England blanked Wales 3-0 in a Group B encounter of the FIFA World Cup. The Three Lions controlled the proceedings and broke the deadlock after half-time. Marcus Rashford scored a stunning freekick to put England up and running. Harry Kane turned provider as Phil Foden added England's second minutes later before Rashford scored again. Meanwhile, USA beat Iran 1-0 to enter last 16.
Pulisic unlocks these feats
As per Opta, the USA have won each of the last nine matches in which Christian Pulisic has scored. He is the first player to be involved in two consecutive goals for the USA at the FIFA World Cup since 2010 (two goals from Landon Donovan against Algeria and Ghana). Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Chelsea winger netted his 22nd goal in international football.
Contrasting records for Iran and USA by half-time
Iran failed to attempt a single shot in the first half of a WC fixture for the first time in their history. USA attempted nine shots in the opening 45 minutes, more than they managed in the first half against England (6) or Wales (3).
Pulisic scripts history in FIFA WC
As per William Hill, Pulisic has now been directly involved in 20 goals (G13 A7) across 26 FIFA World Cup matches for the USA (including qualifying). Pulisic is the fifth player for the USA to record a goal and assist at a single World Cup in the modern era after Bruce Murray (1990), Clint Mathis (2002), John O'Brien (2002), and Jermaine Jones (2014).
Interesting records for USA
As per Opta, USA didn't name any MLS player in the starting XI for a competitive match for only the second time since the league began in 1996 (also versus Jamaica in the 2011 Gold Cup). Yunus Musah became the second USMNT player to play in a major FIFA tournament on his birthday, after Gregg Berhalter versus Mexico in the 1999 Confederations Cup.
Rashford unlocks these feats
Rashford scored his first direct free-kick goal for England. It's also the first direct free-kick to be scored at the 2022 WC. He netted England's 100th WC goal, thereby making them the seventh nation to reach the total. As per Opta, he is the first United player to score three goals in a major tournament for England since Bobby Charlton at the 1966 WC.
Key stats for England
As per Opta, Kane has become the first England player to assist three goals at a single men's WC since David Beckham in 2002 (also three). England's nine goals in the 2022 WC group stage are their highest ever in a single group in any edition of the tournament. Rashford has raced to 15 international goals.
Other notable records from England-Wales match-up
As per Squawka, Rashford has now scored as many goals in the World Cup as Beckham (3). As per William Hill, Gareth Southgate became the first manager in England's history to win 10 games in total across major tournaments (2018 WC, 2020 Euros, and 2022 WC). Kane now has the most assists in the 2022 World Cup (3), beating a host of candidates.
England beat Wales 3-0
After a goalless first half, Rashford converted a free-kick from 20 yards after Ethan Ampadu's foul on Foden to open England's account. Foden added the second from Kane's low cross. Wales' only realistic chance came through Kieffer Moore but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was quick to punch it away. England fetched their third at the 68th-minute mark to break Welsh hearts.
Key numbers from England-Wales fixture
England bossed the ball game, clocking 64% possession and attempting 18 shots with seven on target. Wales had 36% possession and managed seven shots, hitting the target only once. England (89%) were also highly accurate with their passes than the Dragons (78%).
Key numbers from USA-Iran fixture
The USA enjoyed more of the ball, notching 51% possession. They attempted 12 shots with five on target. Iran had 49% possession throughout, with four attempts and one on target.
England to face Senegal; Netherlands to face USA in R16
Netherlands and Senegal advanced from Group A. Group A table-toppers Netherlands will now lock horns with Group B runners-up USA in the first round of 16 fixtures of the 2022 WC on December 3 (8:30 PM IST). Meanwhile, Group A runners-up Senegal will square off against Group B winners England in the fourth R16 fixture on December 5 (12:30 AM IST).
