England were held to a frustrating goalless draw against Ghana in their second World Cup group-stage match in Boston on Tuesday.
After so much optimism following the entertaining 4-2 win against Croatia, it was a draining afternoon for Thomas Tuchel’s side this time around in a result which leaves Group L, and specifically top spot, in the balance.
Following a drab first-half, Bukayo Saka and Elliot Anderson had decent openings in the second-half before Harry Kane spurned the best opportunity of the match late on. But the Three Lions struggled to create many chances against a dogged, defensive Ghanaian outfit, coached by ex-Man Utd assistant Carlos Queiroz.
The result, which means England have drawn their second match in their last four major tournaments, means both England and Ghana are level on four points ahead of their final matches on Saturday: England face group minnows Panama and Ghana take on Croatia.
Here’s how the England players rated after their 0-0 draw against Ghana:
England
Jordan Pickford – 6
Did not have a single save to make but was perhaps fortunate to escape without sanction after a collision with Ghana substitute Prince Kwabena Adu outside the penalty area. A welcome clean sheet after conceding two goals against Croatia.
Reece James – 6
Teamed up nicely with Noni Madueke on the right early on but was slow and predictable with the ball at his feet. Was it the sort of game where England missed the ingenuity of, say, Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back?
Ezri Konsa – 6
Made a crucial intervention from Antoine Semenyo in the box at the end of the first-half and looked more assured after his shaky World Cup debut against Croatia. Was he lucky not to give away a penalty in the second-half after a questionable lunge? Perhaps.
Marc Guehi – 7
Replacing Manchester City teammate John Stones in the starting XI, Guehi slotted in seamlessly. Should start at the back for the foreseeable, such is his poise and pace. Had a header cleared off the line in stoppage time.
Djed Spence – 7
A surprise starting pick over Nico O’Reilly, Spence was solid on his first World Cup start. While he didn’t actually face a single one-on-one battle with Antoine Semenyo, he did cover well to deny Marvin Senaya after his second-half burst into the box.
Elliot Anderson – 6
Struggled to influence proceedings in the same way as he did against Croatia, but perhaps inevitable given Ghana’s shape. Didn’t do enough with a free header at the back post on 61 minutes.
Declan Rice – 6
Most influential player on the pitch in a drab first-half, with a free-kick and header over the bar, but the midfield linchpin did pick up a needless booking. Set-piece deliveries were a tad predictable.
Noni Madueke – 6
Again, won the battle of the wingers, but wasn’t as impactful as he was against Croatia. Bright on the right-hand side and carved out more opportunities than Gordon on the left, but was wasteful when he had a glimpse of goal. Could lose his spot to Bukayo Saka.
Jude Bellingham – 5
A day of frustration for England’s No 10. Struggled to make an impact going forward, but did make a perfectly timed tackle to deny Semenyo a run on goal. A bit stale, nonetheless.
Anthony Gordon – 4
Quiet last week, the Barcelona winger actually started sharply but faded massively and backed out of an aerial contest with Senaya defensively, which almost cost England a goal. Gordon did have the first shot on target of the game in the 57th minute, but he hasn’t done enough over two matches and he will be lucky not to lose his starting spot for Marcus Rashford against Panama on Saturday.
Harry Kane – 5
Overtook David Beckham (watching on in the stands) in the all-time England appearance list… but that was just about as good as it got for the England captain on Tuesday. And that glorious late chance, skying high with his left foot with the goal at his mercy, will haunt him. An off day.
Substitutes:
Bukayo Saka – 7. Had a really good sight on goal after coming on, but his header ballooned over. Also worked keeper Benjamin Asare with a shot rifled towards the corner. Is he fit enough to start against Panama?
Nico O’Reilly – 7. So unlucky not to score after rising highest in the box late on, but his header rattled the crossbar.
Morgan Rogers – 6. Looked bright when he came on for Bellingham and may well get his chance from the start against Panama.
Eberechi Eze – 5. Gave the ball away cheaply, which presented a chance for Ghana on the break, and didn’t do much attacking-wise in his 20 minutes on the pitch.
Marcus Rashford – 7. The main question is: why did it take Tuchel until 82 minutes to bring him in? Immediately looked threatening on the left: direct and brave on the ball. Should start against Panama.
Ghana
Benjamin Asare – 8
Marvin Senaya – 7
Jonas Adjetey – 7
Jerome Opoku – 7
Gideon Mensah – 6
Thomas Partey – 6
Inaki Williams – 7
Caleb Yirenkyi – 6
Kwasi Sibo – 6
Antoine Semenyo – 5
Jordan Ayew – 6
Substitues
Abdul Fatawu – 6
Prince Kwabena Adu – 6
Kojo Peprah Oppong – N/A
Abdul Rahman Baba – N/A
