Jude Bellingham questioned why he was named player of the match in England’s drab goalless draw against Ghana at the World Cup.
A standout performer and goalscorer in England’s opening win against Croatia, Bellingham struggled to impact the game in Boston as Ghana stayed solid in their deep defensive shape.
Bellingham was substituted for No 10 rival Morgan Rogers with 20 minutes to go and the Real Madrid midfielder, having been named as a surprise recipient of the player of the match award, admitted it was another case of “second game fever” for the Three Lions, who have now drawn their second group game in their last four major tournaments.
“I didn’t deserve it… it probably should have gone to one of their lads who defended so well,” Bellingham said of the award, which is decided by an online fan vote.
“I had a couple of moments but it was hard to get into the game. I’m grateful for whoever voted, but it probably should have gone to one of their lads who defended so well.
“Fair play to them. Like always, second game fever with England – win the first one and do well, draw the second. But it’s OK.
“They played for a draw as it would have seen them through. Fair play to them.”
The result means England are level with Ghana on four points, heading into their respective final group-stage matches against Panama and Croatia on Saturday.
Captain Harry Kane, meanwhile, spurned a glorious late chance but refused to be overly downbeat afterwards.
“Obviously disappointed not to win the game,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “It’s a game we knew we’d have loads of possession, we did and they defended well in a low compact block and made it difficult to play in the middle of the pitch, so the game was outside and one v one duels. I think both ends of the half in the first and second half we got some momentum there and chances.
“It’s a game we could’ve walked away 1-0, 2-0 and moved on. It was never going to be the prettiest game because of the way they played. Credit to them, they defended well, dangerous on the counter-attack. Overall, we defended that pretty well. They didn’t have many chances. We take the point and move on.”
”These games are tough; I’ve played in these types of games, a lot of us have played in these types of games. Sometimes you need an early goal to open up the match, for them to come out but as the game goes longer at 0-0, they believe more and defend more with their heart.
“We still had chances towards the end there. I’m backing myself to score more often than not. One of those but I’ve lived the striker life long enough to know they’re not always going to go in. I back myself nine times out of 10, but it just didn’t fall my way today.
“We wanted that second win today, but it weren’t to be. But overall we’re in a good position and we look forward to the next one.”
