This is a huge final World Cup group stage clash for British rivals Wales and England, who could both secure progression into the knockout stage but also crash out of the competition. Wales’ hopes of reaching the last 16 were handed a big blow on Friday, when after first-choice goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey’s sending off, they conceded twice in second-half injury time to fall to a 2-0 defeat against Iran, meaning they now realistically need to secure all three points in this contest and hope Iran and USA draw in the group’s other contest. In the unlikely event they defeat the Three Lions by 4+ goals, Wales would qualify no matter what happens in Group B’s other game.
That scenario seems pretty far-fetched though given the Dragons are without a win in seven matches across all competitions (D2, L5), which is their longest such run since May 2003. There appears little chance of that run ending against England either given Wales have lost six straight H2Hs by an aggregate 11-1 scoreline!
England missed the chance to seal their spot in the last 16 against the USA, and fans of the Three Lions were not shy in voicing their disapproval at full-time following Friday’s 0-0 draw at Al Bayt Stadium. A defiant Gareth Southgate vowed “external noise” wouldn’t impact his England side who are still in the driving seat and can book their place in the knockout stage with just a draw in this contest.
Even so, pressure will be on Southgate’s side to finish their group stage campaign with a bang and win Group B, especially as they are playing against an old foe like Wales. Wins have been hard to come by for England of late though, with their 6-2 victory against Iran their only success in eight matches (D4, L3), that’s their joint-fewest number of wins across an eight-game span since a run between October 2001 and June 2002!
Players to watch: Gareth Bale has managed just two shots across both his World Cup matches so far, although one was the penalty goal against USA. He’s also the only Wales player to find the back of the net against England since Mark Hughes back in 1984. Harry Kane has already scored past Wales’ number two Danny Ward this season playing for Tottenham, but he’s yet to score an open-play goal for England this calendar year.
Hot stat: In their three previous major tournament appearances, Wales have never exited the competition without winning at least one game.
World Cup trivia: England have played out more 0-0 draws than any other nation in World Cup history (12).
