England held to frustrating goalless draw by Ghana in World Cup
'Not a disaster, but a reality check,' says Shearer
Will England still top group? Have your say
Three Lions dominated with 79% possession - match stats
Tuchel's side must wait until final game against Panama to seal last-32 spot
Not a disaster. But not the best result either. England are all-but qualified for the last-32.
But was this a reality check for Thomas Tuchel's side?
Time to turn attentions to Panama. Croatia are facing them right now and you can follow along with that here.
England held to goalless draw against Ghana
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Micah Richards
Former England defender on BBC One
Image source, Getty ImagesOn what he would like to see in the final group game against Panama:
Higher energy. More risk. Someone like Rashford strarting, Watkins as well and give Kane a bit of a rest. Just the high energy. We bought into it with Croatia, even though there was a low block, you can still have that high energy. I just thought it was a little bit too slow today.
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Wayne Rooney
Former England striker on BBC One
Image source, Getty ImagesMe and Joe Hart have experienced going out of a World Cup after two games...
For Thomas Tuchel, I now expect changes on Saturday night, but listen I think England probed, but there is little details throughout that game that Tuchel will look with the team and try on improve on.
When a team is sitting low block, you have to cross the ball. It is very difficult to defend against. I don't think we crossed the ball enough in 90 minutes.
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Steph Houghton
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
Even though it was a difficult night, we have to try and find a way to score whether it's early on or in the last minute.
I think that's what the players will be really disappointed about because we have the tools to unlock the defence.
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
England
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland boss Thomas Tuchel, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Credit to them. I rarely saw a physical performance like that from a team. They defended with 10 players in a deep, deep block, so made it difficult for us because they were very disciplined and very physical on every position so it took us a while to break this block down, to find this rhythm. Everything was our responsibility to find rhythm. At the same time you need to be careful not to concede counter-attacks.
"We were pushing, pushing, pushing. We had a big chance with Harry [Kane] that he will never miss in this tournament again, so it is what it is.
"It is difficult to find a way through when someone plays a 4-5-1 and completely deep and is committed to it and they celebrated a 0-0 like a win, so you could see the different approaches which is fair enough and credit to them. You cannot lose your head about it.
"It took us a while to find our rhythm in the second half. The substitutes helped and the fatigue set in and then we created more and more the longer the game went but we couldn't score."
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Ghana
Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo, speaking to the BBC: "We defended for most of the game. We knew it would be like that. We needed to stay in our shape and put our bodies on the line. We did that today.
"It was tough today. Props to the team, we knew we wouldn't have much of the ball and go forward as much as we wanted to. Hopefully, we can go on to get through.
"Every attacker wants to be on the ball rather than off the ball, but it's what the team needed.
On the missed chance: "It happened so fast, I tried to move out of the way. We get forward really quickly. We're unlucky not to get that goal.
On catching up with familiar faces: "A little bit before the game, but I'm going to go catch up with them now. It's good to see them. It hints that the point was important for them, too.
"Our goal from the start was to get through to the next round."
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Joe Hart
Former England goalkeeper on BBC One
I think it is not necessarily going to put fear into France, Spain or Portugal. They will have the reference of the Croatia game because they are going to be coming at England.
The round of 32 if England do finish top of their group, they do potentially come up against third-place opposition.
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
If this were any other team, England fans would be laughing at the result. I think a lot of people need to adjust to how they think about this team and its abilities.
Will, London
Spain drew against Cape Verde in their opening match.
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
England
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland captain Harry Kane, speaking to BBC One: "It was one of those games. Difficult team to break down. We had loads of possession of the ball. The last 15 minutes of both halves, we were at our best. They started to tire and we got some chances. I had a big chance and we hit the bar with Nico [O'Reilly]. It could have been a game where we came away with the win. They've got some dangerous players and we controlled that pretty well. We wanted the win but we got a point and we're still in a great position in the group.
On his missed chance: "You go through games like that. I was waiting for an opportunity like that to fall my way. I was waiting rot he ball to bounce, it did but I couldn't get over it. It is what it is. I've been a striker long enough to know they don't always go in.
On his lack of opportunities: "I was man-marked with Partey so I didn't have space to drop deep. They defended the box well. The balls in the middle were tough to play because it was compact. You go through games like that. We're playing in the World Cup.
"We're in a great position, we play Panama next. I spoke before and said we have to separate it into two tournaments, with the group stage and the knockouts. We've almost done round one and we're looking forward to getting back out there."
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
England are all but qualified for the last-32. If they finish top of the group they will likely come up against DR Congo, as things stand.
You can monitor how things are going here on our knockout stage graphic.
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Joe Hart
Former England goalkeeper on BBC One
Image source, Getty ImagesI think it is important to point out that other teams have struggled in this tournament.
Spain have had their moments, Portugal too.
Nobody goes through it in recent history of having a clear slate.
And that was a tough game. England have got to learn from it and understand their positions.
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Ghana
Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz, speaking to the BBC: "The first goal is achieved, and we qualified for the second round. I am so proud of the way our players fought during the game and how much they stand behind the game plan. They always believed. My humble opinion is that England can be candidates to win the World Cup. It is a gift for our fans. It is a gift for some of the players we lost.
"That's the way to win when you have to defend, you defend. I cannot play samba when they play rock and roll. The goal was to finish the first half with the England team frustrated and no solution to beat us. That was when we started to grow up and control the game. We could score, but unfortunately, we didn't do it. I think England could score, so a draw was a fair result.
On what it means: "Happiness. Win is happiness, but in this moment, the win is nothing. We reached the second stage, which was the goal."
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
England
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland defender Marc Guehi, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's so important to put things into perspective. That's what life's about. On another day we win the game and everyone's buzzing. The main thing is the performance was good, the performance, we looked like a team that wanted to score, that had chances to score goals and it's important we learn from this game and build.
"You can see at the end of the game what it meant to them, so I think it's important to give credit to them. I think it's important to put things into perspective, learn and move forward."
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Wayne Rooney
Former England striker on BBC One
In these games it is almost more difficult than when you play against the better teams who are better going forward.
I don't want to go back to it, but these are the games where you need a Phil Foden or a Cole Palmer because they are clever little players in those tight areas.
We have got Declan Rice, through all Declan's qualities getting into tight areas, that is where you need a Foden or a Palmer.
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Micah Richards
Former England defender on BBC One
I like everything that Tuchel has done. He has made big decisions at the right times and I respect him for that, but my worry was the fact that when we go against teams in a low block, have we got someone who can produce a moment of magic?
Tonight I feel as though it was stark and obvious for everyone to see that when we were not on transition, where Madueke and the rest of the guys are so good, when we are in those tight pockets there wasn't anyone to produce that moment. There was not enough risk today for an England team that won so well against Croatia.
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Steph Houghton
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesIt's a learning curve. A point's a point. We sit top of the group. It's a great position to be in. With the standard we set against Croatia I think everyone might be disappointed.
We're in the position we're in at the moment, for me it's sooner to have this experience to maybe not break down that low block and take that into the latter rounds and do better next time.
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Wayne Rooney
Former England striker on BBC One
It is difficult to play in that position against a low block. This is just a shock...
Harry Kane does not miss those chances.
You expect the ball to hit the back of the net. He just doesn't get his head over the ball.
Listen, I am not going to give Kane advice.
He leans back a little, but instead of getting his head over the ball and closing his body, he just leans back and that's why it goes over.
Kane blasts over the bar
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
England
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland midfielder Jude Bellingham, speaking to the BBC, on being named player of the match: "I didn't deserve it, to be honest. It probably should've gone to one of their lads who defended so well. Had a couple of moments but couldn't get in the game. I'm grateful to whoever voted.
"Second game fever isn't it with England, isn't it? Win the first one and draw the second. It's OK. I think they played for a draw, which would have seen them go through. Fair play to them. They did a great job.
On who he thinks of when he wins awards: "My family, team-mates, and the coach who gave me the chance to be at the World Cup. I probably didn't deserve this one but grateful nevertheless."
FT: England 1-1 Ghana
England have not won a second group-game match since the 2018 World Cup, when they thrashed Panama 6-1. They have since recorded four consecutive draws across the major tournaments.
Euro 2020 - England 0-0 Denmark
World Cup 2022 - England 0-0 USA
Euro 2024 - England 1-1 Denmark
World Cup 2026 - England 0-0 Ghana
FT: England 0-0 Ghana
Steph Houghton
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
I don't think you can take anything away from Ghana. What they did today was what they wanted to do but sometimes you can get teams that are playing in that 4-5-1 formation are passive but I felt like Ghana were really aggressive. That's what England struggled with. I think we needed to up the intensity. To a man Ghana did their jobs really, really well.
I don't think we played anywhere near what we can do against this Ghana side.
England held to goalless draw against Ghana
At a glance
England frustrated by Ghana resilience
Thomas Tuchel's side must now wait until their final game against Panama to secure qualification for the World Cup's last 32
Substitute Nico O'Reilly heads against the woodwork late on
England were unable to repeat the flowing football that overpowered Croatia in their first World Cup game as they were held to a draw by Ghana at Boston Stadium.
Thomas Tuchel's side knew victory would confirm a place in the last 32 - but they were left frustrated by the stubborn resistance and organisation from Ghana.
England took 57 minutes to muster a shot on target and once again lived dangerously in defence, surviving anxious moments when Ghana hit them on the counter-attack as the contest became a disjointed affair.
Tuchel turned to Bukayo Saka, whose minutes are being managed because of a lingering Achilles problem, and replaced Jude Bellingham with Morgan Rogers in an attempt to break the stalemate.
Saka forced a fine save from Ghana keeper Benjamin Asare, while another substitute Nico O'Reilly headed against the bar, leaving Tuchel and England to settle for a point. Marc Guehi also had a header cleared off the line.
Even though England applied pressure, they appeared very fortunate not to concede a penalty late on when Ezri Konsa challenged Prince Kwabena Adu in the area, bringing him down without making any contact with the ball.
England remain top of Group L, but must now wait until their final game against Panama to ensure qualification for the World Cup knockout phase.
No need to panic for England - but this was a reality check
Should Ghana have been awarded a penalty against England?
Which players failed to make an impact? England player ratings
'Anxious moment for England' - should this have been a penalty for Ghana?
England's spirits were high after they swept past Croatia with a superb display of attacking football - but this was a sobering brush with World Cup reality against Ghana.
Croatia were determined to press England and, to an extent, played into their hands, whereas Ghana were happy to sit deep and let Tuchel's team have the ball for long spells.
It is in these circumstances that a touch of X-factor is needed to make the breakthrough and England simply did not possess it here.
Tuchel ran through his options in an attempt to crack the Ghana code, with Saka replacing the disappointing Anthony Gordon, and the Arsenal winger almost fashioned the breakthrough when he forced a diving stop from keeper Asare.
England finally found some urgency in the closing stages, when O'Reilly held his head in his hands after hitting the woodwork, with Guehi similarly disappointed to see his header smuggled off the line.
It was all too late in what was, overall, a disappointing display.
Ghana, ranked 64th in the world, presented a more stubborn challenge than Croatia and England could not come up with the answers.
Rice remains positive after England draw with Ghana
Tuchel has placed his faith in Gordon by starting him in England's first two World Cup games, but the new Barcelona player was quiet again and will be placed under increasing pressure for his place from Marcus Rashford.
Tuchel could even switch Noni Madueke to the left flank if he feels Saka is fit to start against Panama. Madueke was one of England's livelier performers here.
England's head coach tried all his alternatives to inject life into a display that was too slow and too predictable - but for all that they are still well placed to top the group and go into the World Cup's last 32.
England take on Panama on Saturday (22:00 BST) in New Jersey while Ghana travel to Philadelphia to face Croatia at the same time in the final Group L games.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | -8 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | -7 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 0 |
|
Manager:Thomas Tuchel
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Carlos Queiroz
Formation:4 - 1 - 4 - 1
High chance of scoring
Medium chance of scoring
Low chance of scoring
Dominant period
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
| Minute | Team with most threat |
|---|---|
Kick off 1' | England |
2' | England |
3' | England |
4' | England |
5' | England |
6' | England |
7' | England |
8' | England |
9' | Ghana |
10' | England |
11' | England |
12' | England |
13' | England |
14' | England |
15' | England |
16' | England |
17' | England |
18' | England |
19' | England |
20' | England |
21' | England |
22' | England |
23' | England |
24' | Ghana |
25' | England |
26' | England |
27' | England |
28' | England |
29' | England |
30' | England |
31' | England |
32' | Ghana |
33' | England |
34' | England |
35' | England |
36' | England |
37' | England |
38' | England |
39' | England |
40' | England |
41' | England |
42' | Ghana |
43' | Ghana |
44' | Ghana |
45' | Ghana |
45'+1 | England |
45'+2 | England |
45'+3 | England |
45'+4 | England |
45'+5 | England |
45'+6 | England |
Half time 45'+7 | England |
46' | Ghana |
47' | England |
48' | England |
49' | Ghana |
50' | Ghana |
51' | England |
52' | England |
53' | England |
54' | Ghana |
55' | Ghana |
56' | Ghana |
57' | England |
58' | England |
59' | England |
60' | England |
61' | England |
62' | England |
63' | England |
64' | England |
65' | England |
66' | England |
67' | England |
68' | England |
69' | England |
70' | England |
71' | England |
72' | England |
73' | England |
74' | England |
75' | England |
76' | England |
77' | England |
78' | England |
79' | Ghana |
80' | Ghana |
81' | England |
82' | England |
83' | England |
84' | England |
85' | England |
86' | England |
87' | England |
88' | England |
89' | England |
90' | Ghana |
90'+1 | England |
90'+2 | England |
90'+3 | England |
90'+4 | England |
90'+5 | England |
90'+6 | England |
Full time 90'+7 | England |
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