England’s difficult second game afflicted them for a fourth successive tournament as Ghana frustrated them to a 0-0 draw in Boston to leave their hopes of topping Group L in the balance.
Just as in their second group fixture against Scotland in 2021, the USA in 2022 and Denmark in 2024, England struggled to impose themselves on the game, albeit against an opponent by far the most defensive of the four – and one more than happy to frustrate and earn a point which all-but secures their own progression to the last 32.
England, with four points secured from two games, have all but secured passage through but still have work to do to claim top spot in Group L.
England completed 190 passes more than their opponents in the opening 35 minutes, but it took until then to fashion their one and only clear chance of the first half when Declan Rice nodded over after Noni Madueke had isolated his full-back in a rare sign of intent.
The nation hoped for a repeat of Tuchel’s inspirational half-time team-talk which galvanised his side six days earlier against Croatia, but it was more of the same after the break this time and it took another 11 minutes for Anthony Gordon to finally register England’s first shot on target with a tame effort straight at Benjamin Asare.
Ghana’s valuable point threatened to become three when substitute Prince Adu was played in behind and seemingly caught by a wayward Ezri Konsa slide, which inexplicably was waved away both by the on-field officials and VAR.
“England were in an attacking position but found themselves four on four,” said Sky Sports’ Micah Richards on BBC Sport. “They’ve got to sort it out – yes, they’re chasing the game, but you still need that protection behind you.
“On another day, that could’ve been a penalty.”
Harry Kane should have won it with three minutes to go when Nico O’Reilly’s header crashed back off the crossbar but the England captain – surely the one player in world football anyone would have wanted the ball to fall to – skied the rebound over with the goal gaping.
That left the Three Lions with questions to answer about their lack of intensity, and a reality check after the jubilation of their second-half performance against Croatia – but with their progression still in their own hands ahead of Saturday’s final group game with Panama.
The key moments from Boston…
- 37: OVER! Rice finally wakes England fans up when heading over a presentable chance from Madueke’s cross
- 50: CLOSE! Ghana give England a heart-in-mouth moment as Senaya beats Gordon to the ball but his pull-back flashes across goal and misses Williams’ run at the back post
- 57: NEARLY! England finally fashion a shot on target as Madueke’s shot deflects to Gordon, who fires straight at Asare.
- 64: OVER! Madueke should test Asare when a half-cleared free-kick lands at his feet but the unmarked winger fires over.
- 79: NO PENALTY! Fatawu bounces Eze off the ball and finds Adu, who skips forward and races into the box. He is seemingly caught by Konsa in the area before his shot hits Semenyo – who is offside.
- 86: CHANCE! Four minutes from time, Asare has some work to do as Saka’s snap shot is turned away by the restored Ghana goalkeeper.
- 87: HUGE MISS! O’Reilly heads a cross against the crossbar with the loose ball falling to Harry Kane – who somehow blazes over with the goal gaping.
- 90+3: OFF THE LINE! Guehi turns an Eze cross home but sees his header cleared off the line with seconds ticking away.
Tuchel: I saw this performance coming
England head coach Thomas Tuchel on BBC Sport:
“Not frustrated. I saw it coming as I knew this would be a difficult game.
“Ghana are physical and so committed. Full credit to them. They were difficult to break down.
“You need to be patient but at the right moments be brave. We conceded only two dangerous chances.
“At the end of the halves we grew into it and found rhythm but, of course, fatigue crept in. I liked the attitude, but you need a bit of luck.
“We had enough shots and cross and a big chance with Harry Kane. It is what it is.”
Bellingham: Another case of England’s second-game fever
Player of the match Jude Bellingham on BBC Sport:
“I didn’t deserve it, to be honest. It should have gone to one of their lads who defended so well.
“I had a couple of moments, it was hard to get into the game and I’m grateful for whoever voted but it should’ve gone to one of their lads.
“Like always, it’s second-game fever with England. Win the first one, do well and draw the second.
“It’s okay though, they played for a draw that would’ve seen them go through and fair play to them.”
