England 0-0 Ghana
When the compilation DVD (other visual experiences are available) of World Cup 2026 highlights is produced around a month from now, you can guarantee this game won’t feature.
A goalless draw with just four efforts on target (three for England, one for Ghana) will not have inspired too many purists.
However, this World Cup Group L encounter perfectly demonstrated what a difference a world class coach can make as Carlos Quieroz’s well-drilled Ghanaians frustrated their more illustrious opponents.
Highlights of the game
England manager Thomas Tuchel made two changes from their opening game as Marc Guehi and Djed Spence came into the defence in place of Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly.
Included in the Ghana starting XI was Thomas Partey.
He had missed their opening group success against Panama after being denied entry to Canada due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK. Partey has denied all the charges and will attempt to clear his name at a trial next summer.
Ghana set their stall out early doors in Boston, sitting deep from the off which was clearly a wise tactic to employ given the way England ultimately overpowered Croatia last week.
At any level of football, it can be difficult for even top sides to break down well drilled units and Ghana did a great job in keeping the Three Lions, who controlled possession throughout, at bay.
In fact, the most notable moment of the first half was an accidental clash of heads between England full back Reece James and Ghana forward Jordan Ayew.
Thankfully both men were fine and, during a lengthy break in play, it was a surprise why the time wasn’t utilised for the hydration break – the boos that followed during the actual break five minutes later summed up the feeling of the fans.
As England became increasingly irritated, so Ghana’s main man threatened as Antoine Semenyo, fresh from a successful season with Bournemouth and Manchester City, burst through and forced a rare corner.
When I remembered at half-time that the Ghanaians were managed by Quieroz, the former Manchester United number two and, briefly, Real Madrid number one, I suddenly was not surprised that they were frustrating England.
A highly astute coach, his appointment was an inspired choice by the Black Stars. He was only appointed to his position two months ago, but Queiroz is at his fifth consecutive World Cup finals, having guided Portugal to the tournament in 2010, and Iran in 2014, 2018 and 2022, so knows the game inside out.
Into the second period and they continued to frustrate Tuchel’s men while, during another Ghana break, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford rode his luck as he collided with Prince Adu on the edge of the box only for the free-kick to be awarded to England.
Konsa was also perhaps fortunate to concede a penalty for a challenge on the same player.
Despite this, it seemed likely the English strength in depth from the bench would be crucial and Bukayo Saka was brought on for the largely ineffective Anthony Gordon.
Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze quickly followed as captain Harry Kane hoped an opportunity would fall his way against a disciplined defensive unit.
Marcus Rashford also entered the fray and Saka forced Benjamin Asare into a fine save before a header from another sub, O’Reilly flicked off the bar and Kane failed to convert the rebound.
It was an uncharacteristic miss from England’s record goalscorer as they turned the screw and Guehi saw a looping header cleared off the line in stoppage time.
But make no mistake, Ghana deserved the point, led by a managerial masterclass.
Key statistics
This was only the second ever clash between England and Ghana (they played out a 1-1 draw in their first meeting in March 2011).
England have lost only one of their last 12 matches across all competitions (won nine, drawn two), keeping a clean sheet in eight of the nine victories.
On the other hand, this result meant Ghana overturned a six-game run without a victory to beat Panama 1-0 last week after losing five of those matches (drawn one).
This was Pickford’s 86th appearance for England, taking him ahead of full-back Gary Neville and alongside Kenny Sansom in the all-time list.
Of the 1,297 players to have represented England, only 15 have more appearances than the Everton shot-stopper with Peter Shilton, who retired in 1990, the only goalkeeper with more caps (125).
Pickford has played 10 more times for England than Joe Hart, the player he succeeded as his country’s number one.
What’s next?
And so off to the final games in Group L we go.
They take place next Saturday (June 27) night when England face lowly Panama and Ghana and Croatia lock horns.
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