World Cup 2022: All-British Clash Should Be All-England

Wales vs England

As someone who wants Wales to do well and admires the country’s passion, there is no easy way to say this but the reality is, had the World Cup 2022 not been extended to more nations than ever before, Cymru would not have qualified.

Indeed, much better Wales teams, those containing the likes of Ryan Giggs, Ian Rush, Mark Hughes, Kevin Ratcliffe, Neville Southall et al missed out on this level, despite being part of superior Welsh national teams.

Wales are in Qatar as a result of moments of brilliance from their only world class player, Gareth Bale, and a spirit which is terrific, yet they peaked a few years back.

And the truth is that, with a few exceptions, manager Robert Page has to select his players bargain basements such as Swansea, AFC Wimbledon, Luton and MK Dons.

The difference between those available to Page and his English counterpart, Gareth Southgate, is a gulf and I expect the result of all this all-British tie to reflect that on Tuesday night.

Talking Points

Even now, I expect Bale’s late penalty leveller against the USA last week to be the sum total of their World Cup highlights.

Another draw in their second game would have given them some hope but two goals deep in stoppage time won the game for Iran, all this shortly after goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey had been sent-off.

It all means that, bar an unlikely win against England – they will also be out if Iran or the USA win their own showdown unless the Welsh can defeat England by a four-goal margin – Wales’ first World Cup for 64 years is to end at the first hurdle.

On Tuesday night, they will be without the suspended Hennessey, who will be replaced by Leicester City’s Danny Ward.

England are currently sitting on the top of the World Cup 2022 group B table — England players in training ahead of their match Wales

They should otherwise be at full strength, as should England now that Kyle Walker and James Maddison have returned to training.

The gulf between the two squads is highlighted when Southgate can call on players from the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs and Borussia Dortmund.

That difference should emanate itself on the pitch and England will be expected to bounce back from their stalemate against the USA with a win to top Group B.

History

Two old foes who have been paired together on 103 occasions, including a number of times in the former British Home Championships.

As you’d expect given the differing size of the neighbouring countries, England have been dominant in the fixture with 68 victories to Wales’ 14 successes and a further 21 draws.

The very first meeting was a friendly in 1879 when England emerged 2-1 winners at the Kennington Oval in London before a reported crowd of just 200.

Herbert Whitfeld and Thomas Heathcote Sorby were their scorers inside the first 20 minutes with William Henry Davies the Welsh marksman.

The last time they met in the World Cup was in qualifying for the 2006 tournament.

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Then, England were 2-0 winners at Old Trafford with Frank Lampard and David Beckham their scorers before Joe Cole netted the only goal in the return in Cardiff.

They also met at Euro 2016 – their first ever meeting at a major tournament – when a last-gasp Daniel Sturridge goal fired England to a 2-1 win after Bale, with a superb free-kick, and Jamie Vardy had traded goals.

Wales had the last laugh, however, topping the group and going onto reach the semi-finals.

They last met in a friendly two years ago when England won 3-0 in a behind-closed-doors game at Wembley, thanks to goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Conor Coady and Danny Ings.

The last time Wales beat England was six games ago in 1984, but it was a big one as a clever Mark Hughes header settled the contest at Wrexham.