Brennan Johnson convinced Wales are capable of beating England

Brennan Johnson insists Wales can shock England and keep their World Cup dream alive.

Wales’ hopes of making the knockout stages were left hanging by a thread after losing 2-0 to Iran.

England’s goalless draw with the United States on Friday night means that Wales still have a path to the round of 16, but qualification is out of their own hands unless they beat Gareth Southgate’s side by a four-goal margin.

Wales v Iran – FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group B – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Brennan Johnson (left) takes on Iran’s Milad Mohammadi during Wales’ 2-0 World Cup defeat on Friday (Nick Potts/PA)

That would see Wales finish behind England and above Iran in second spot on goal difference, the first deciding factor for teams on equal number of points at this World Cup.

On extending Wales’ World Cup stay, Johnson said: “It’s going to take a win against England for us to have a chance.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen, but we do know that all the boys are going to give it everything they’ve got.

“It’s definitely possible we can beat them. It’s going to take a huge effort but it’s something we are ready for.”

Wales went into the Iran game buoyed by a second-half revival against the USA that earned them a 1-1 draw.

Gareth Bale’s late penalty secured a precious point, while Iran – ranked 20th in the world and one place below Wales – were thrashed 6-2 by England.

But Iran were the superior team in the hot Doha conditions and should have led before Roozbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian struck deep in to stoppage time to break Welsh hearts.

Wales v Iran – FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group B – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Wales captain Gareth Bale and Neco Williams are dejected after their 2-0 defeat to Iran (Martin Rickett/PA)

Hennessey will be suspended for the England game with Leicester’s Danny Ward set to take over in goal.

“Losing this game just wasn’t good enough,” said Nottingham Forest winger Johnson.

“We’ve no complaints about it. At the end of the day, it’s on us. We just didn’t play well enough or to the level we can play at.

Wales v Iran – FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group B – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off against Iran after colliding with Mehdi Taremi and will miss the England game through suspension (Mike Egerton/PA)

“It feels really heart-breaking for us, even with 10 men we were always out there to win the game and still pushing.

“I think that’s why we conceded those late goals, because we were still trying to win the game.

“We know what it will take now – a big effort from everyone.”

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