England were left frustrated by a stubborn Ghana to a draw their second match in the fourth major tournament in a row to prolong their wait to advance to the World Cup knockout rounds.
A flurry of late chances almost breached a resilient Black Stars, with Bukayo Saka’s shot well saved, before Nico O’Reilly struck the bar.
Harry Kane’s follow-up was inexplicably ballooned over the bar, but the 0-0 draw means Thomas Tuchel will now have to complete their progress to the last 32 against Panama in New York on Saturday.
Thomas Partey was booed by the Three Lions fans in the first half, with the Ghana midfielder back after missing the Panama match, having been denied entry to Canada while facing a rape charge. While the former Arsenal star was also seemingly snubbed by Djed Spence in the pre-match handshakes between the sides.
Follow all of the latest reaction and analysis from this Group L stalemate below:
An England player refused to shake hands with Ghanian midfielder Thomas Partey prior to their World Cup group stage clash.
During half time the BBC reported defender Djed Spence snubbed Partey, who is facing is multiple rape and sexual charges, and is awaiting trial. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Football Association previously said it would not issue guidance to the England squad over whether to shake hands with Partey.
It is understood that the rest of the England players either shook hands or fist-bumped the former Arsenal player. Cameras cut away as the two teams greeted each other during the pre-match duties at Boston Stadium on Tuesday (23 June).
Partey has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by Metropolitan Police.
England fans boo hydration breaks during World Cup clash with Ghana
Fans let their dissatisfaction be felt during England’s Group L encounter against Ghana by loudly booing the decision to take a hydration midway through the first half.
The pause, made mandatory by Fifa for every match at this year’s tournament, came just a few moments after a previous stoppage in which England defender Reece James and Ghana striker Jordan Ayew both received medical treatment following a clash of heads.
England had won a throw in as they attempted to break down Ghana’s compact and deep defensive shape with the match still goalless when the hydration break was called.
Speaking on BBC One, pundit Micah Richards gave his thoughts on England’s performance and determined that the team lacked bravery in comparison with how they played against Croatia last week.
“That was their [Ghana’s] tactic, they were going to go into that low block and frustrate England,” Richards explained.
“The frustrating thing for me was England weren’t brave enough. We talked about Croatia when they were in the formation and knew exactly what they wanted to do, they were energetic.
“Yes, we knew they were going to come up against a team that was going in a low block, can you unpick it? I just feel as though people were making too many safe passes. You’ve got to be more brave when you’re up against a team in that low block.”
Tuchel: Not frustrated
“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.”
Momentum stalled, expectation drops
The surge isn’t sustained, but it means another more dour trend is continued. For the fourth tournament in a row, England draw their second game.
Momentum is stalled, expectation drops back again. They weren’t looking like champions in this one. Thomas Tuchel hasn’t changed everything yet. Far from it. Nothing he did seemed to change the game here. Ghana were excellent value for a 0-0 draw, with a supremely disciplined defensive performance. And while Tuchel raged, Carlos Queiroz was punching the air with his delighted players. They celebrated this like a win, and it still could have been that.
Prince Adu probably should have had a penalty in the 82nd minute, when Ezri Konsa desperately cut him down but the referee just waved play on. There followed England’s best chance, as substitute Nico O’Reilly smashed the crossbar with a header and then Harry Kane – of all players – drove the ball well over the bar from just yards out.
The worst game of tournament so far
Maybe this World Cup had been just too exciting. Previously sceptical Americans were in danger of being converted to soccer. The various ills of Gianni Infantino and Fifa were being camouflaged by a flood of goals, many of them fine.
Not here. Loud boos greeted the hydration breaks, though they were no less eventful than much of the match. At least when nothing happened during them, there was no actual expectation of anything occurring. This was the worst match of the World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel had stated he had enjoyed one of the best weeks of his career. But that was before a shocker of a match. His team emerged with a point and retain top spot in Group L. But, frustrated and frustrating, they were dismal nonetheless.
