England manager Gareth Southgate labelled centre-backs Harry Maguire and John Stones "absolutely outstanding" after their 0-0 draw with the United States.
It was a frustrating night for the Three Lions in Qatar as they failed to build on their 6-2 thrashing of Iran on Monday. But Southgate reserved praise for his chosen central defensive duo after they withstood a barrage of American pressure to keep a clean sheet.
But it wasn't just the defensive efforts which caught Southgate's eye as he pinpointed Maguire and Stones' ability to play through American's aggressive press to advance the ball.