Ghana Frustrate England To Remain Unbeaten

Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

England endured a frustrating evening after being held to a goalless draw by Ghana in their second Group L encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Fixture: England v Ghana
Score: 0-0
Goalscorers: NA

Both nations came into the clash on the back of opening day wins, as Thomas Tuchel’s charges defeated Croatia 4-2 while the Black Stars left it late to overcome Panama last weekend.

Tuchel went with the same attack and midfield from their win over Croatia, but handed starts to March Geuhi and Djed Spence in the defence, but the Three Lions continued with their dominant approach in the early stages with Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke causing trouble down the flanks.

The Black Stars, meanwhile, were happy to sit back and allow England to have the ball but they were finding it tough to get the ball to Antoine Semenyo on the counter, as they spent most of the first half defending with 11 men behind the ball in their own half.

With Ghana defending quite deep, the onus was on England to take the game by the scruff of the neck, however the likes of Jude Bellingham and Elliot Anderson were finding it tough to unlock the Ghanaian defence as the nation’s all-time leading scorer Harry Kane barely had a sniff at goal in the first half.

It was more of the same in the second period, which forced both sides to make changes on the hour mark as England threw on Bukayo Saka and Nico O’Reilly for Anthony Gordon and Spence, while Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz withdrew Inaki Williams and Jordan Ayew for Abdul Issahaku and Prince Adu.

The changes nearly paid off for England with 20 minutes left on the clock when Madueke raced to the byline before picking out Saka, who saw his header sail over the crossbar, just minutes before Harry Kane saw his low strike saved by goalkeeper Benjamin Asara from the edge of the box.

Chances continued to fall for the European giants as O’Reilly went agonisingly close by sending his header against the crossbar from Reece James’ cross, before Kane sent the rebound horribly well over the crossbar from six yards out.

The Three Lions were made to rue that miss as the Black Stars were able to see out the closing stages of the second half and hold on for a point to remain in second spot.

Next Fixtures:

England: Panama

Ghana: Croatia

Related tags