England fans expressed frustration and disappointment following their 0-0 World Cup draw with Ghana, but insisted football is “still coming home”.
Thomas Tuchel’s team struggled to break through Ghana’s defence amid more hydration break controversy.
Supporters who made the trip to the Boston Stadium in Foxborough in Massachusetts on Tuesday said they still believed the Three Lions would top the group.
A father and son duo described England’s dull 0-0 draw against Ghana as an “anti-climax” following their statement 4-2 win against Croatia.
Derek Rogers, 68, from Hertford, said: “It was an anti-climax but after the Croatia game it was always going to be tough.
“Hats off to Ghana – they defended really well and we were just slow again.
“It’s not the end of the world at all – it’s just old school World Cup football.”
His 35-year-old son Elliot, also from Hertford, said: “It took so long for things to happen… so it’s frustrating.”
Many England fans wore ponchos to the game due to the rain, but that failed to dampen their optimism of the Three Lions’ chances in their next match against Panama.
“I think we’ll win the group. We’re optimistic but a little bit disappointed tonight,” 66-year-old Martin Davison from Leatherhead said.
Ernie Bennett, who was among a trio of 17-year-olds from Buxton in Derbyshire who dressed as lions, told the Press Association: “It was disappointing to come away with a draw – should have taken our chances and we would have won it.”
Charlie Gould added: “It’s a great experience to come to the stadium, but it’s disappointing to draw with Ghana. Hopefully better to come against Panama.”
Some England fans said the chance for Harry Kane near the end of the game could have changed the mood among supporters.
Freddie Kenison, 32, from Hatfield in Hertfordshire, said: “The Harry Kane chance could have changed everything – we’d have all been buzzing if that had gone in.
“It wasn’t the most inspiring performance.”
Much of the England faithful’s focus during Tuesday’s game was placed on booing both the hydration breaks and Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey.
The first half saw stoppage time for an injury and instead of that being used for the hydration break, it was held in the 26th minute in line with other games.
England supporters were very vocal and loudly booing the mid-half drinks breaks.
Commenting on the hydration break, 32-year-old England fan Sam Jeatar, from London, told PA: “It’s 20 degrees here, it’s 37 at home.
“We all know what that is – it’s a money grab.
“We shouldn’t be too surprised that they are looking for a bit more cash.
“Bit of a joke really – we were booing. Heavily.”
FIFA told PA that hydration breaks are implemented “involving all teams in every match, so matches are played under the same conditions”.
Their statement added: “We want to ensure equal conditions for everyone, and that’s why these breaks are implemented in every match.”
Elsewhere, Djed Spence appeared to snub a handshake with former Arsenal midfielder Partey ahead of the clash in Boston.
He was denied entry to Canada for Ghana’s first World Cup game, having been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in London between 2020 and 2022.
Partey told officials in the host country that he had never been arrested or charged with a crime. He denies all charges and is set to stand trial next summer.
Back in the UK, England fans flocked to watch parties in Wembley, Manchester, Nottingham and Newcastle ahead of the match.
The heat did not keep supporters away after temperatures reached 34.6C in the UK earlier in the day.
Many donned England shirts and some were seen with handheld fans, while others wore hats to stay cool.
England’s final World Cup group game takes place on Saturday at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey.
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