England 0-0 Ghana: Match report

Ghana frustrated England in their World Cup Group L clash on Tuesday night, with the match ending scoreless to leave Thomas Tuchel’s side’s hopes of topping the group hanging in the balance.

Tuchel’s side stumbled through the contest, never finding the fluency they showed in their opening win, while Ghana sat compact and disciplined throughout the entire 90 minutes.

It marked a familiar pattern for the Three Lions. This was the fourth straight tournament in which England have struggled in their second group game, having previously been held by Scotland in 2021, the USA in 2022, and Denmark in 2024. Ghana, on the other hand, made it five unbeaten run in the five World Cups they have attended.

England dominated possession and territory but lacked the cutting edge to break Ghana down.

Declan Rice’s long-range free-kick sailed over the bar after 13 minutes as England began to assert themselves, though the game lost momentum following a head clash between Jordan Ayew and Reece James that triggered a hydration break.

Jude Bellingham had a shot blocked around the half-hour mark, and Rice headed over from a Noni Madueke cross, while Harry Kane had a sight of goal before the break but was denied by two Ghanaian defenders.

England’s best chances came late. In stoppage time, Nico O’Reilly struck the crossbar and Marc Guehi saw a header cleared off the line, while Kane’s biggest opportunity came when he skied a close-range volley with the goal gaping.

Ghana’s game plan was clear from kickoff. They sat deep and looked to catch England on the counter, and although they didn’t manage a goal of their own, a point was enough to keep them well placed heading into the final round of group matches.

The game also produced a major flashpoint. Substitute Prince Adu was sent through on goal in the second half and appeared to be caught by a loose Ezri Konsa slide challenge — a moment that went unpunished by both the referee and VAR, with Ghanaian fans getting furious over the decision.

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz did not hold back afterwards, joking that VAR must have “gone for a coffee” and insisting his side had been denied a clear penalty and red card against England. He argued that a draw was nonetheless a fair outcome overall, saying Ghana had created their own chances and deserved their point.

The result keeps both sides well placed in Group L. England remain top of the group, level on points with Ghana, who had opened their campaign with a win over Panama — England’s final group opponents- while Ghana had themselves opened with victory thanks to Caleb Yirenkyi’s dramatic 95th-minute winner against Panama.

Ghana will face Croatia in their last group game.