England failed to break down a resolute Ghana defence on Tuesday, settling for a goalless draw in their second Group L match at the World Cup. The result leaves both sides well placed to advance to the knockout stage.
For Thomas Tuchel’s side, this was a disappointing outcome after their opening 4-2 victory over Croatia. Ghana, who snatched a late 1-0 win against Panama in their first group game, signalled their intentions from the kick-off by setting up to neutralise England’s attacking style.
Playing under a steady drizzle, England struggled to create clear-cut chances. Ghana’s players swarmed captain Harry Kane and any teammate who ventured into dangerous positions. The first 45 minutes marked the first goalless half of this World Cup in which neither team registered a shot on target.
Tuchel had warned beforehand that Ghana would be well prepared under Carlos Queiroz, who is coaching in his fifth World Cup and has a deep knowledge of English football from two spells as assistant manager at Manchester United.
Ghana threatened on the counter-attack through the pace of Antoine Semenyo and substitute Prince Kwabena Adu. But England wasted the match’s best opportunity in the 86th minute when Nico O’Reilly’s header struck the crossbar and Kane fired the rebound over the bar.
“I couldn’t quite get good contact on the ball,” Kane said. “But I believe I can score most of the time. That’s football. I’ve been a striker long enough to know it doesn’t always go in, so I have to accept it.”
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz praised his team for executing the game plan to frustrate England. “I am so proud of the way our players fought throughout the match, their commitment to the plan,” he said.
