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.
England analysis: Tuchel’s side suffer reality check
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.
Gordon’s place under pressure
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.
