Harry Kane and Harry Maguire reflect on England's 0-0 draw with the USA

Harry Kane highlighted England remain in a ‘great position’ in their FIFA World Cup group despite acknowledging his side were not at their best during the 0-0 draw with the USA.

England struggled to create clear-cut chances at the Al Bayt Stadium on Friday night as the USA’s high-energy press limited the Three Lions’ attacking threat.

But whilst England were unable to carve open the opposition defence like they did against Iran in Monday’s 6-2 win, the 0-0 with the USA still leaves Gareth Southgate’s men top of Group B on four points, knowing a draw with Wales on Tuesday would be enough to qualify.

Kane said: "It wasn't our best performance, for sure. We had some good spells with the ball and created some good positions. We just didn't quite have the final product. It was a great clean sheet and puts us in a great position in the group.

"It was just about being clinical. It was a complete contrast to the game against Iran when we took our chances really well. Today we had two or three good opportunities and didn't quite put them away. They're a tough team, and we move on.

"They pressed really well, we knew before the game they'd come out and make it difficult for us. I thought at times we dealt with it well. They're a good side, you have to respect them. A draw isn't the end of the world for us and puts us in a good position in the group. We look forward to the next one.

"We know we can play better than that, for sure. It's a draw in a World Cup, no game is easy in a World Cup. After the first performance, people thought we'd landslide every team we played. It's not the case. We came up against a really organised team with some quality players and we had to respect that. A clean sheet is really pleasing. A point's not what we came here for but it leaves us in a really good position." 

It was a view echoed by defender Harry Maguire, who was one of England’s better performers on the night, with a number of important defensive clearances.

Maguire said: "It wasn't our best, but it's a point and it puts us in a strong position in the group. World Cup games are never easy and we knew coming into the game they're a good team. We've watched a lot of them in previous matches and we knew they are a good team, they play at a big tempo. We had to work hard out there and we could have maybe nicked it at the end. 

“They had a couple of chances but if we'd been more clinical with our chances, we would probably have won the game. There were some positive parts and we'll take the positive parts and work on the ones we need to improve. 

"These World Cup games are tough. You've seen with the group games, they're all top teams at this World Cup. It's tough out there. They're a good team. We weren't as clinical, we weren't as ruthless. We didn't execute the final pass well enough. We know we have good forwards in this team so I'm sure next game we'll be alright.”