Jude Bellingham of England reacts during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
BOSTON, June 23 (Xinhua) -- England failed to take three points from its second World Cup Group L match, as the Three Lions were held to a 0-0 draw by a well-organized Ghana side at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.
England captain Harry Kane wasted a good chance in the 86th minute when a rebound from Nico O'Reilly's header fell invitingly for him, but he blasted over the bar.
The Three Lions, who defeated Croatia 4-2 in their Group L opener, could not find a way past a Ghana side ranked 65th by FIFA, though they outshot Ghana 18-2.
"It's very frustrating," said Jude Bellingham, named Player of the Match for a driving display on his 50th appearance for the Three Lions. "It feels like we've got that 'second-game fever' again. In most tournaments I've played, it's been the same: a decent performance and good win in the first game, then a tougher second one."
England has begun a World Cup campaign with back-to-back wins only three times in its 17 appearances: in 1982, 2006 and 2018.
"I'm a bit frustrated with how they defended and how they set up. Credit to them - they got exactly what they played for. We couldn't break them down, even with all the corners, all the possession and the shots from distance," said the midfielder.
"It's important for us not to get too negative about it. We'll watch the footage, see where we could have been better and then prepare for Panama. I've just told the lads that in there - no worries, no stress and no drama. It's not the end of the world. Four points put us in a good position," Bellingham added.
In the 12th minute, a neat combination between Noni Madueke and Reece James sent England in behind the Ghana defense, but Thomas Partey made a crucial block. Two minutes later, England midfielder Declan Rice flashed a free kick over the bar, and in the 16th minute his shot from the edge of the box was deflected for a corner.
Kane had his first sight of goal in first-half stoppage time from a Rice pass, but his effort was deflected for another corner.
Ghana's first attempt on goal came in the 50th minute when Marvin Semaya broke in behind the England defense down the right. Djed Spence's covering intervention denied a clear shot and Semaya's subsequent ball flashed across the six-yard box.
In the 57th minute, England attacked down the left, with Anthony Gordon setting up Madueke on the edge of the area, but his shot was blocked. Gordon then had an effort of his own, which was comfortably held by Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare.
England's last chance came in injury time, but Marc Guehi's header was cleared off the line.
England coach Thomas Tuchel credited his players for their patience and persistence in searching for solutions against the opponent.
"We had a double chance at the end, and perhaps we deserved to win. It's difficult to score against these teams; if you can't score, it becomes a game of patience. It's not easy when teams defend with such a low block," he said.
"In the first half, we tried, we had pace, intensity, but we simply couldn't score. We did a great job defending their counterattacks; we were very good. The substitutes did a good job. The match against Panama is in four days, and we'll think about it later," Tuchel said.
Ghana coach Queiroz expressed satisfaction with his side's hard-earned goalless draw.
"I am so proud of the way our players fought during the game, how much they stood behind the game plan," said Queiroz, who is competing at his fifth World Cup as a head coach. "When you have to defend, you defend. I cannot play samba when they play rock and roll. That's the name of the game, but the goal was exactly to finish the first half with the England team frustrated, with no solutions."
England and Ghana are now level on four points from two matches, with England leading Group L on goal difference. ■
Fourth official Ma Ning of China reacts before the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Fourth official Ma Ning (4th R) of China reacts during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Thomas Tuchel, head coach of England, reacts during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Thomas Tuchel, head coach of England, reacts during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Fourth official Ma Ning (C) of China reacts during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Referees line up before the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of England line up during the national anthems before the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Reece James (2nd L) of England and Jordan Ayew (5th R) of Ghana receive medical attention during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Elliot Anderson (L) of England vies with Jordan Ayew of Ghana during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of England pose for photos before the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Fourth official Ma Ning (2nd L, front) of China reacts during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
A fan of England reacts before the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Referees line up before the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Reece James (L) of England vies with Jordan Ayew of Ghana during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Former England player John Terry (bottom) takes selfies before the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Antoine Semenyo (1st L) of Ghana litsons to head coach Carlos Queiroz (2nd L) the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Fourth official Ma Ning of China reacts during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Fourth official Ma Ning of China reacts during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Fans of England reacts during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Jude Bellingham of England waves his hands before the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Carlos Queiroz, head coach of Ghana, arrives before the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Jude Bellingham (L) of England reacts during the group L match between England and Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
