There was a logic in sticking with the line-up that had torn through Iran but where that performance had been scintillating, this proved far stodgier.

England found this reminiscent of their toils against Scotland at Wembley in the second match of last year’s European Championship, a goalless draw that prompted much concern before the recovery that took England to a first major final in 55 years. They played in fits and starts for long periods against the U.S., too, and struggled to maintain any kind of control. As matters failed to improve in the early forays after the interval, the clamour for changes rose. When the tweaks were made, England at least offered something slightly different.

There is rare strength in depth to this group and, on an evening that served as something of a reality check, that is encouraging. Jordan Henderson, replacing the ineffective Jude Bellingham, offered reassurance through his weight of experience. Jack Grealish was a distraction the U.S. could have done without, all pesky movement and quick dancing feet.

His first involvement, collecting on the left, drew a quartet of opponents towards him. The ball was smuggled away, but Grealish had fired his warning. Within seconds he was being fouled by Dest, previously so unflustered. Marcus Rashford, too, offered some urgency. Perhaps the most perplexing aspect of it all was the absence entirely of Phil Foden.

A draw is hardly damaging. Plenty of fancied sides have slipped up already in Qatar, and England never beat the US, after all. They will still qualify unless they lose by at least three to Wales on Tuesday — which feels an unlikely prospect. But Southgate and his staff have plenty to ponder. Things improved dramatically after Scotland at Wembley in the summer of 2021. Now this group have to conjure something similar again.

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