Ghana’s defensive wall denies England in tense World Cup encounter

Carlos Queiroz has experienced very different emotions when facing England at the World Cup, but this meeting produced a result he and Ghana will value highly.

The Black Stars produced a disciplined defensive performance to secure a 0-0 draw against England Tuesday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, frustrating a side that controlled much of the match but could not find a decisive breakthrough.

For Queiroz, the result represented a sharp contrast from four years earlier when he guided Iran against England in Qatar and suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat.

This time, Ghana executed the plan perfectly.

“Our plan was to block and frustrate them from the first minute,” Queiroz said. “We did it.”

The point could prove crucial as Ghana continue their push toward the round of 32.

England control the ball but cannot find the finish

England dictated the tempo from the opening whistle, dominating possession and creating repeated attacking situations, but Ghana’s defensive structure remained intact.

The Three Lions finished with 19 shots compared to Ghana’s single attempt, yet the pressure did not translate into goals.

Midfielder Jude Bellingham admitted England struggled to break down a determined opponent.

“Frustrated a little bit with how they defended, how they set up,” Bellingham said. “They got exactly out of the game what they played for. Couldn't quite break them down, even with all corners, all the possession, all the shots on goal from distance.”

The draw extended England’s unbeaten record against African nations at the World Cup to nine matches, but it also left them needing a strong finish in Group L.

Ghana survive a dramatic finale

The closest England came to breaking the deadlock arrived late in the contest.

In the 86th minute, Nico O’Reilly rose to meet a cross, only to see his header strike the crossbar. Harry Kane reacted quickly to collect the rebound, but his left-footed attempt lacked the power needed and sailed over the goal.

Ghana’s biggest opportunity came earlier in the second half.

In the 78th minute, Abdul Fatawu battled past England midfielder Eberechi Eze and drove down the wing before delivering a pass toward Prince Adu.

However, Ezri Konsa challenged Adu from behind before he could shoot, leading Ghana to appeal for a penalty.

Queiroz was convinced his team deserved more.

“It was a clear penalty, if not a red card,” he said. “We have no doubts about that.”

The decision stood, allowing England to escape with the draw.

Defensive discipline earns praise

England manager Thomas Tuchel admitted Ghana’s approach created problems for his side.

The Black Stars operated in a compact 4-5-1 formation, limiting space and forcing England to attempt long-range solutions.

Tuchel described Ghana’s display as among the most physical defensive efforts he had witnessed at the tournament.

“They defended with a lot of determination. A lot of discipline,” Tuchel said.

He also rejected the idea that England relied too heavily on Kane, their star striker and 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner.

“He was not involved as much as we would like to, but it was so narrow,” Tuchel said. “It was difficult to find space. The little moments that he had were just so unlucky.”

Both teams still have work ahead

Despite the stalemate, both nations remain in strong positions after winning their opening matches.

Ghana entered the game after defeating Panama 1-0, while England opened their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia.

The expanded 48-team World Cup format means the top eight third-place teams will also advance, improving the chances for both sides, though qualification is not yet guaranteed.

England, who reached the quarterfinals in 2022 before losing to France, are seeking another deep tournament run. Ghana are aiming to return to the knockout stage for the first time since their famous quarterfinal appearance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Final group matches will decide their fate

England will face Panama on Saturday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while Ghana meet Panama in Philadelphia.

Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare made his first World Cup start and celebrated a clean sheet, while the team’s commitment to Queiroz’s instructions earned praise from midfielder Kwasi Sibo.

“I think we did our best to get the best possible result that we were hoping for,” Sibo said. “It's just the plan of the coach, and we did follow the coach.”

The result may not have produced a goal-filled spectacle, but Ghana walked away with exactly what they came for, a point earned through organization, resilience, and belief.