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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Malik Ouzia

Wales urged to show ‘no fear’ in must-win England World Cup clash with ‘nothing to lose’ after Iran defeat

Dan James says Wales must go into their must-win World Cup clash with England with “no fear” after Friday’s disastrous defeat to Iran.

Following Monday’s 1-1 draw with the USA, Wales went into their meeting with Iran knowing victory against a side who had been thrashed 6-2 by England days earlier would leave them in prime position to qualify for the last-16.

However, Robert Page’s side produced a dismal display and were stunned by two stoppage-time goals as Carlos Queiroz’s side earned a famous 2-0 win.

Wales must now beat England in their final Group B game on Tuesday to have any chance of reaching the last-16, though even then they are reliant on results going their way elsewhere.

“First we’ve got to analyse this game, look at what we could’ve done better and try and take the positives out of it,” James said. "Obviously, England play tonight and then we’ve got to go into that game with no fear. We’ve got nothing to lose.

Dan James has urged Wales to be brave in their must-win World Cup tie with rivals England (Getty Images)

“We’ve got to [lift ourselves]. We’re here, we’ve got one game left and we can’t go into that thinking we’ve already lost. We can pick ourselves up. It’s going to be a tough one for the boys to take today but tomorrow we’ll dust ourselves off and get ready for that one.

“England have got top players but we have to go into that game with no fear.”

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