Near total control of the ball, wave after wave of attack, and still nothing but a big zero on the scoreboard. The FIFA World Cup group clash between England and Ghana at Boston Stadium last night ended in a goalless 0-0 draw. It was a tightly contested affair, but Ghana's resolute defending left England chasing a goal for the full 90 minutes. The result has thrown Group L wide open, and the final round of matches will now decide which teams move forward.
Both sides walked into this fixture level on 3 points each. England had beaten Croatia 4-2 in their opener, while Ghana edged Panama 1-0 thanks to Caleb Yirenkyi's injury-time goal. Each team knew that another victory could seal a place in the Round of 32 ahead of schedule.
England dominate, Ghana hold firm
Thomas Tuchel's England side kept hold of the ball from the opening minute. At the other end, Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz set up with a fully defensive plan. Playing in a compact 5-4-1 formation, the Black Stars repeatedly forced England to recycle possession backwards and out wide.
England enjoyed 78.8 percent of the ball in this match, the highest possession figure recorded by any team in World Cup history. Even so, they could not break through. England fired off 19 shots in all, but only 3 of them found the target. Ghana, meanwhile, sat deep in their own half and defended for most of the game. Across the entire contest the Black Stars managed just 2 shots, one of which tested the goalkeeper.
24 fouls and rising tempers
Queiroz's team committed 24 fouls, constantly breaking England's rhythm and stopping them from building sustained attacks. The early stages also produced a major flashpoint. Prince Adu slipped in behind the England defence and was bearing down on goal when Ezri Konsa slid in with a tackle from behind. Ghana's players and bench loudly demanded a penalty, but the referee waved the appeal away.
Tensions flared again just before half-time. England's Jude Bellingham and Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz were involved in a heated exchange as they headed towards the tunnel.
England, the kings of the draw
This stalemate added to a curious England record. England have now drawn 23 matches at the World Cup, more than any other nation. Of those, 13 have ended goalless at 0-0.
Group L in the balance
The result leaves Group L completely tangled. For now both England and Ghana sit ahead, with Croatia and Panama trailing behind them. England will face Panama in their final group game. A win would let them top the group and earn an easier draw for the Round of 32. Ghana, on the other hand, take on Croatia, and after this draw they too hold a strong chance of reaching the next round.
