England midfielder Jack Grealish has hit back at suggestions his side underperformed in their 0-0 draw with the United States, calling for the Americans to be given more credit for the result.
Despite heading in as strong favorites, the Three Lions were never going to find it easy against a USMNT side packed with talent playing in the Uefa Champions League and across Europe’s top five divisions.
Indeed, the Stars and Stripes dominated large stretches of the match and were unlucky not to take the lead as Weston McKennie missed a good chance inside the box and Christian Pulisic hit the crossbar from distance.
The post-match reaction from large sections of England supporters and pundits was one of anger and frustration but Grealish has hit back, crediting the USMNT for a strong performance and talking up the Three Lions’ position at the tournament.
“We are in a strong position. Obviously, top of the group and it’s all in our hands going into the final game,” Grealish told talkSPORT ahead of the final round of Group B matches on Tuesday. “It’s weird sometimes playing for the national team because you have one result like that and it’s as if it is the end of the world – and it’s clearly not.
“I felt like a lot of it was about us. England were this, England were that but at the end of the day, they played very well. They was a team that had a lot of energy, very athletic in all the positions, and we have to give them credit for the way they played.
“They changed their tactics up, the way pressed and stuff, from the first game. We know we can play better and we will certainly look to be doing that going into the second game.
“I think there was a big overreaction. Apart from Spain being the top tournament scorers, we’re the top scorers in the tournament. I can’t think off the top of my head if anyone has scored more than six.
“Against Iran we were the best thing since sliced bread, scoring six goals, and then we go a game without scoring and there was a bit of an overreaction. But I suppose that it what you get sometimes playing for England.”
The USMNT currently sit third in Group B but will still qualify for the knockout rounds if they beat Iran on Tuesday. A five-goal victory coupled with an England defeat to Wales would see Gregg Berhalter’s side top the standings.
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