England were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ghana in their second World Cup group match, played at Gillette Stadium in Boston on June 23, 2026. Despite dominating possession with 80% and firing 19 shots, Thomas Tuchel's side could not break down a disciplined Ghanaian defense. The result leaves both teams on four points in Group L, with England still top on goal difference. Harry Kane missed a late chance to win the game, skying the rebound after Nico O'Reilly's header hit the bar. Ghana's stand-in goalkeeper Benjamin Asare made his first save in the 57th minute and kept a clean sheet.
World Cup highlights: England wake up late – Ghana nearly pull off a sensation
Two video articles focused on key moments: England's first shot in the 57th minute and Ghana's late counter‑attack that was thwarted by a strong tackle. These short clips present the game as a near‑shock for England.
Tagesspiegel reported England's 'bitter setback', highlighted Kane's missed chance to become England's sole World Cup top scorer, and noted Jude Bellingham's milestone. Unique detail: a shaman claimed to have put a curse on Kane.
A brief article reiterating that England's high‑powered attack was stifled in the 0‑0 draw, with the focus on the failure to score.
A second video article from Welt showing Ghana's Prince Adu being denied by a last‑ditch tackle from Ezri Konsa, emphasising that Ghana nearly snatched a sensational win.
Al Jazeera framed the result as Ghana's achievement, highlighting how the 73rd‑ranked team battled brilliantly to contain England. It noted England's concern but downplayed catastrophe, focusing on Ghana's justified appointment of Carlos Queiroz.
The Age's live blog detailed the match minute-by-minute, highlighting England's frustration and Ghana's defensive resilience. A separate article focused on England's attack being stifled, emphasizing the lack of cutting edge.
Sky Sports criticised England's lack of intensity and called it a 'reality check'. It highlighted the recurring pattern of difficult second group games and mentioned a controversial penalty appeal for Ghana.
The Evening Standard focused on fan reaction, the heat in the UK, and the controversy around Thomas Partey – including Djed Spence's apparent handshake snub and booing. It also covered the hydration break row.
The draw is seen as a setback for England, who failed to replicate the attacking fluency of their opening win over Croatia. While progression to the knockout stage remains likely, concerns over England's ability to break down deep defenses resurface. Ghana's performance earned plaudits as the underdogs battled to a well-deserved point, keeping their own last‑32 hopes alive. The game also featured the return of Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, who was booed by fans over his ongoing legal case, and a hydration-break controversy that added to the grumbling atmosphere.
Timing of England's first shot on target
| Outlet | Claim |
|---|---|
| Sky Sports | Anthony Gordon registered England's first shot on target in the 56th minute (after 11 minutes of second half). |
| Die Welt (video article) | In the 57th minute, England's first attempt on goal. |
England's number of shots on target
| Outlet | Claim |
|---|---|
| Al Jazeera English | England had 19 shots but rarely looked like scoring. |
| The Age (live blog) | England finished with 19 shots but only four on target. |
The coverage of England's goalless draw reflects a split between seeing it as England's failure to break down a deep defence and Ghana's plucky underdog performance. While England remain group leaders, the lack of cutting edge raises questions about their title credentials. The match also generated controversy off the pitch with Thomas Partey's presence and fan reactions. Overall, the result is more significant for Ghana's confidence and England's minor concern than a crisis.
Al Jazeera English
Evening Standard
Recevez les meilleures histoires de demain dans votre boîte mail