England was held to a 0-0 draw against Algeria in the late match Friday, leaving the Three Lions in third place of Group C at the 2010 World Cup. Algeria, now on one point, sits fourth in the group. Both teams needing a win next Wednesday to advance to the knockout stage.
It was one of the most unwatchable matches of the tournament, sparking comparisons to last Friday's France-Uruguay match and Sunday's Slovenia-Algeria fixture. England had five shots on goal to Algeria's one, but the Three Lions never looked poised for a goal a Frank Lampard chance early in the match. Likewise, Algeria showed little aptitude for a goal, and as the match wore on the Desert Foxes looked content to take their draw.
That is not to say Algeria did not earn the draw, working hard to defend against the English. But England was again blunt in attack, unable to string together the touches needed beak through the Algerian defense. Majhid Bougherra and Nadir Belhadj starred at the back, while Karim Ziani was the match's best player in midfield.
But neither team exhibited any cutting edge in the final third. Algeria failed to get any contributions from forward Karim Matmour, while England forwards Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney seemed unable to keep possession in teh faces of Bougherra, Antar Yahia and Rafik Halliche.
The draw leaves England needing to beat Slovenia next Wednesday to advance or beat the United States on a tiebreaker with both Wedneaday, Group C matches ending in a draw.
Algeria earns their first point of the tournament and will go through to the next round with a win over the United States.
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