England’s players were comforted by their WAGs last night after they only managed to secure a goalless draw against Ghana in their second World Cup game.
Harry Kane and his squad struggled to land a decisive blow on their African opponents, who are ranked 65th in the world – and the captain squandered a late chance to break the deadlock as he blazed the ball over the crossbar.
Some of the 30,000 fans who braved the rain to support the Three Lions voiced their frustration at the ‘bore draw’, chanting: ‘Do you know how much we’ve spent’.
Among those in the crowd at the Boston Stadium was Jordan Pickford’s wife, Megan, who gave the goalkeeper a consolatory kiss in the stands as the final whistle blew.
She had appeared in high spirits before the game, waving and blowing kisses to the cameras as she paired a white mini dress with a poncho.
Bukayo Saka also sought comfort from his fiancée Tolami Benson, 25, who donned a custom England outfit. The pair were pictured embracing in the family box at the end of the match.
Other WAGs in attendance included Ashlyn Castro, the 28-year-old girlfriend of midfielder Jude Bellingham, and defender John Stones’ wife Olivia, who wore a Three Lions top.
Ellie Watkins, wife of striker Ollie Watkins, also donned an England cap, and was seen cheerily waving at the camera.
While last night’s result was a huge disappointment for fans, England are still expected to get through to the knockout stages of the World Cup, as they are heavy favourites to beat Panama in their final group game on Saturday.
Jordan Pickford kisses his wife Megan after England’s match last night
Megan donned a white raincoat to match her all-white outfit during the England game last night
Bukayo Saka is comforted by his partner Tolani Benson following England’s disappointing draw against Ghana
Jordan Pickford is seen with his wife Megan following the game at Boston Stadium last night
With kick-off not until 9pm, millions packed into pubs across the country to watch the game.
Thousands of venues were allowed to extend their opening hours so fans could enjoy the match with a drink, with projections saying 25 million pints would be pulled.
Millions more cheered on Kane and his team from home, watching the coverage on BBC1.
TV insiders had expected ratings to soar after England’s thrilling 4-2 victory in their opening World Cup match against Croatia last week.
But while fans in England battled the heatwave, those who’d made the journey to Boston had to wade through puddles and dodge heavy downpours before the game.
After the searing heat and humidity of Dallas, where England kicked off their campaign, the Boston clash took place under typically English leaden skies.
Among those splashing through the rain outside the 65,000-capacity stadium in Foxborough was James Reid, 35, from Guildford in Surrey, who said: ‘I can’t believe everyone in England is getting the sunshine.
People in Boston are saying we’ve brought them the British weather.’
John Stones’ wife Olivia posed in a Three Lions top ahead of the match
Ellie Watkins, wife of striker Ollie Watkins, wore an England cap, waving to the camera
Jude Bellingham is seen with his father Mark following the game on Tuesday night
England fans dress up and pose for photos ahead of kick off between England and Ghana
Tolami Benson, 25, the fiancee of winger Bukayo Saka, was also in the stadium last night
Sir David Beckham in the stands during the FIFA World Cup match at the Boston Stadium
David Beckham cheered on the team in a navy suit as he joined best pal Dave Gardner to watch the game.
Beckham’s son Cruz, 21, and girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 30, were also spotted in the stands.
US officials have faced criticism for hiking the price of public transport, with train fares costing $80 (£60) instead of the usual $20 (£15).
But England supporters copied their Scottish counterparts by hiring a fleet of iconic yellow school buses to take them to the stadium some 35 miles from downtown Boston and 20 miles from Providence.
At least a dozen coaches and school buses transported fans from Providence to the ground with fans paying a bargain $35 (£26) for the return journey.
Among them was retired British Army officer Lt Colonel Nick Rowles, 68, his wife Gail, 67, travelling with friends.
The couple estimate the trip is costing over £10,000, but they have managed to bag cheaper seats as members of the England Supporters Travel Club.
‘I doubt we will drink Providence dry like the Scots, maybe the younger ones will but we are happy to have a nice, quiet relaxed evening,’ he said.
Paul Scott, 48, is spending £10,000 to watch all three of England’s group matches – a Christmas gift from his wife, Claire.
He said: ‘She knows just how much I’ve wanted to come here.’
England football fans are seen at Luna Springs in Birmingham during the England v Ghana game
Harry Kane and his squad struggled to land a decisive blow on their African opponents, who are ranked 65th in the world
Fans watch a screening of the FIFA World Cup match between England and Ghana at BOXPARK Wembley
The couple run a builders’ merchant in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Mr Scott said: ‘I love America, and the welcome here has been phenomenal.’
Elsewhere, a group of eight fans from Stoke-on-Trent paid £1,900 for two taxis to get them to Boston after their flights from Montreal were cancelled.
England fans booed Ghana’s Thomas Partey – an alleged rapist – before the whistle was blown.
Partey, 33, who used to play for Arsenal, was charged with seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault, and he faces trial in London.
The midfielder, who has since moved to Spanish side Villarreal, denies the charges.
TV pictures cut away from the handshakes as Partey passed each England player. Defender Djed Spence appeared to refuse to shake hands with him.
The England fans also booed the hydration breaks – taken in the rain.
England’s next game is against Panama on Saturday in the stadium in New Jersey, also the venue for the World Cup final on July 19.
Half English and half Ghanaian supporter hails ‘best result’
By Sam Greenhill
A supporter who is half English and half Ghanaian declared after the draw: ‘That was the best result.’
Joe Short, 48, watched the match inside the Boston Stadium with ‘mixed emotions’ as his two home nations battled each other.
The retired management consultant’s nurse mother Senya came to England in the 1960s to work in the NHS, and his father Jim is a retired radio engineer from Farnham, Surrey.
He said: ‘Throughout the match, I was Facetiming my friends in England and messaging my family in Ghana.
‘They were rejoicing back home in Ghana – all the aunties and uncles were overjoyed by the result.’
Mr Short, who wore his Ghana top the first half and his England strip the second half, said: ‘I felt the joy of seeing them together.
Joe Short, 48, (pictured) watched the match inside the Boston Stadium with ‘mixed emotions’ as his two home nations battled each other
‘I felt frustration with England for not breaking through, but also pride in Ghana for managing to hold them off.’
Asked to choose a side, he said: ‘I guess I wanted England to win because they had the best chance. But everybody said I cannot lose. And it was a draw – that was the best result.
‘For Ghana to get the result they did, if they didn’t do anything else in this World Cup, it was enough.’
Mr Short, who has lived in Australia for the past 15 years, was on his own at the Boston game but will now travel to New York for England’s next fixture against Panama where he will be joined by his wife Selina and children Isaac, 14, and Sadie, 12.
