England’s World Cup campaign took a hit on Tuesday when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana in their Group L match. Despite dominating possession and having 19 shots compared to Ghana’s two, England failed to score past the team’s stand-in goalkeeper Benjamin Asare.
The performance raised doubts about England’s chances of progressing as Group L winners, with both teams currently tied on four points after one game remaining. The match was watched by 63,983 fans at Gillette Stadium near Boston, and while there are no immediate consequences for advancement to the knockout stage, England must now secure a safe result against Panama in their final group fixture.
Ghana’s victory, despite being ranked 73rd globally compared to England’s 10th, showcased a strong defensive effort. Thomas Partey returned from suspension for Ghana after missing the previous match due to visa issues in Canada, while Asare started in goal. Harry Kane struggled to break through England’s defense, remaining quiet throughout the game.
England’s substitutes were unable to make a decisive impact, and only Declan Rice was able to score during the first half with a free-kick that narrowly missed the target. The match saw several contentious moments, including Jordan Pickford being criticized for charging out of his box without making contact with an opponent, while England’s substitute Adu faced criticism for crashing into Panama’s Prince Adu.
Despite these setbacks, England still hold their record unbeaten against African opposition in World Cup history, which remains unthreatened.