Maguire shines in 50th appearance for England
Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire earned his 50th cap for England in their World Cup draw against the USA.
The Reds skipper helped Gareth Southgate's side keep a clean sheet with a truly colossal performance at the back.
"We had to work hard out there and we could have maybe nicked it in the end," Maguire told ITV after the 0-0 draw.
"They had a couple of chances but if we could have been a little bit more clinical with our chances, we'd have probably won the game."
Harry Maguire’s game by numbers vs. USA:
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 25, 2022
94 touches
88% pass accuracy
71 passes completed
8 long balls completed
8 clearances
3/4 aerial duels won
1 interception
1 block
1/1 dribble completed
Mopped things up at the back. 🧹 pic.twitter.com/iKX28RjPXL
Maguire continued: "It's tough out there, they're a good team and we just weren't as clinical, we weren't as ruthless. In the final third we didn't execute the final pass well enough."
Despite the team's difficulties in attack, he was quick to praise his team-mates for keeping the USA at bay after an evenly contested game.
"Big credit to the lads. They put us under pressure, especially at the start of the second half, and we dug in and got a clean sheet.
"[We have] four points from two games. Of course we wanted to win the game tonight and see the job through but we're looking forward to the next game against Wales now."
Luke Shaw also started again for England, and played a key role down the left-hand side.
A lovely bit of skill just before the end of the first half saw him evade Sergino Dest before laying the ball off to Bukayo Saka, but the Arsenal forward couldn't keep his effort down.
Our full-back went close to assisting an almost certain winner moments before the final whistle, after Harry Kane was on the end of Shaw's excellent cross but his header flew wide of the goal.
Marcus Rashford was introduced late on, with Southgate bringing him off the bench in place of Saka just over ten minutes from the end.
Despite an instant impact against Iran last time out, he couldn't quite hit his stride as the game stagnated towards the end.
England remain top of their group, one point ahead of Iran, and it will all come down to the final game against Wales on Tuesday evening.