When was the last time the USA beat England?

It's been a while since the USA beat England
It's been a while since the USA beat England / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages
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England and the United States meet in the 2022 World Cup group stages on Friday night.

The Three Lions made an impressive start to their campaign by swatting aside Iran 6-2, while the USMNT were held to a 1-1 draw by Wales after a late Gareth Bale penalty.

It's an intriguing fixture, with the US national side developing quickly in recent years. Premier League stars like Christian Pulisic and Brenden Aaronson are core figures in the squad which also boasts Champions League experience in the form of Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest.

It's the latest chapter in the storied history of football and soccer between the two nations, one which began with one of the biggest shocks the game has ever seen.

The USA famously stunned the world in 1950 by beating England 1-0 at that year's World Cup.

England were widely seen as one of the most dominant forces in football at the time and were heavy favourites against an American side that had been hastily assembled with part-time players.

That mattered little, however, as English legends like Billy Wright and Tom Finney were left crestfallen by Joe Gaetjens' strike. Neither side would do anything of consequence in that tournament following the game, but the US have struggled to enjoy victories over the English in the years since.


England vs USA in men's international football

The 1950 encounter was England and the United States' first ever meeting in men's international football. There have been ten games since, eight of which have resulted in wins for the Three Lions.

After that historic 1-0 loss, England went on a four-game winning streak against the US that wasn't ended for another five decades. England would pick up 6-3, 8-1, 10-0 and 5-0 victories before the US eventually grabbed their second win against the Three Lions.

In 1993, England participated in the U.S. Cup alongside the hosts, Brazil and Germany. The US had put in a staunch performance in their opener against Brazil, keeping it down to a 2-0 loss, but showed far more attacking intent in their next game against England.

Thomas Dooley netted just before half-time. Alexi Lalas grabbed the second to spark outrage from the United Kingdom press and general humiliation from the rest of the country's population.

To date, however, that remains the USA's last victory over England. They would meet in three more friendlies - all of which England won - before their meeting at the 2010 World Cup. Steven Gerrard put his side ahead with an early opener but Rob Green made a hash of Clint Dempsey's strike from distance as the USMNT earned a point.

The last meeting between the pair was in 2018, when a Three Lions midfield containing Fabian Delph, Dele Alli and Harry Winks proved too strong for the USMNT in a 3-0 win at Wembley.