England were left frustrated by a stubborn Ghana to prolong their wait to advance to the World Cup knockout rounds - but Thomas Tuchel was told his side were “very lucky” to get away with a 0-0 draw after two key incidents went their way.
Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz joked the VAR was “on vacation” and “went for a coffee” after England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford collided with Prince Ade outside the penalty area in the 66th minute then, in the 78th minute, Ezri Konsa brought down Prince Adu in the box without getting the ball.
“I’m not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup. We still have VAR? It’s working?” Queiroz asked. “I have some doubts about that. It’s a clear penalty and a red card. We had our chances to the point that they’re lucky. They’re very lucky.”
England had a couple of late chances, with Nico O’Reilly heading against the bar Harry Kane’s follow-up inexplicably ballooned over the bar, but the drab 0-0 draw means Tuchel’s side will now have to complete their progress to the last 32 against eliminated Panama in New York on Saturday.
Thomas Partey was booed by the Three Lions fans in the first half, with the Ghana midfielder back after missing the Panama match, having been denied entry to Canada while facing a rape charge. While the former Arsenal star was also seemingly snubbed by Djed Spence in the pre-match handshakes between the sides.
Follow all of the latest reaction and analysis from this Group L stalemate below:
Read MoreEngland face an unexpected World Cup consequence after dull draw with Ghana
The flaw in England’s World Cup plan is now clear to see after Ghana stalemate
Dismal England serve up World Cup shocker to highlight old problem
‘The VAR went for a coffee’: Were England ‘lucky’ to avoid World Cup defeat to Ghana?
England player ratings vs Ghana: Who failed to perform in drab World Cup draw?
England vs Ghana LIVE: Latest World Cup reaction
- England frustrated in Ghana stalemate in second-game syndrome
- Three Lions must wait to confirm progress to knockout stage after drawing second game for fourth consecutive tournament
- VAR 'went for a coffee' as Ghana complain about penalty and red card
- Jude Bellingham: 'I don't deserve player of match award'
- Thomas Partey booed by Three Lions fans at Boston Stadium
Declan Rice sparks England injury fears after limping with bandaged leg after Ghana draw
09:14 , Alex PattleDeclan Rice has sparked fears over an injury, with the midfielder appearing to limp through the mixed zone after England’s World Cup draw with Ghana, while sporting bandaging around his left calf.
The midfielder had been an injury doubt before the group-stage 0-0, but he played the full 90 minutes – perhaps to his and England’s detriment.
Many fans will have felt it was a concerning performance in Boston as Thomas Tuchel’s side failed to break down Ghana’s intense low block, and there was a concerning scene when Rice, 27, appeared to limp through the media area.
Declan Rice sparks England injury fears after limping with bandaged leg
England player ratings vs Ghana: Who failed to perform in drab World Cup draw?
08:59 , Kieran JacksonEngland were held to a frustrating goalless draw against Ghana in their second World Cup group-stage match in Boston on Tuesday.
After so much optimism following the entertaining 4-2 win against Croatia, it was a draining afternoon for Thomas Tuchel’s side this time around in a result which leaves Group L, and specifically top spot, in the balance.
Following a drab first-half, Bukayo Saka and Elliot Anderson had decent openings in the second-half before Harry Kane spurned the best opportunity of the match late on. Overall, the Three Lions struggled to create many chances against a dogged, defensive Ghanaian outfit, coached by ex-Man Utd assistant Carlos Queiroz.
The result, which means England have drawn their second match in their last four major tournaments, means both England and Ghana are level on four points ahead of their final matches on Saturday: England face group minnows Panama and Ghana take on Croatia.
England player ratings vs Ghana: Who failed to perform in drab World Cup draw?
England face an unexpected World Cup consequence after dull draw with Ghana
08:44 , Miguel Delaney at Boston StadiumThat might not have much material meaning to the group, since England are still in command. A win against Panama keeps them top, but it might have other effects.
One is physical. Given how the schedule now gets very compact and demanding – with the potential of at least two games in very difficult conditions – they could have done with the breather of playing a second string against Panama in New Jersey on Saturday.
That could yet prove important.
The second is psychological.
The unexpected World Cup consequence England now face after dull draw with Ghana
The flaw in England’s World Cup plan is now clear to see after Ghana stalemate
08:29 , Richard Jolly at Boston StadiumThomas Tuchel might regret not opting for a wildcard option with England lacking a spark off the bench to change a dull and lifeless game against Ghana
The flaw in England’s World Cup plan is now clear to see after Ghana stalemate
Djed Spence appears to snub Thomas Partey handshake as England fans boo Ghana midfielder
08:14 , Jamie BraidwoodThomas Partey was heavily booed by England fans and Djed Spence appeared to snub a handshake with the Ghana international ahead of the World Cup clash in Boston.
Videos on social media seemed to show the Tottenham defender refuse to put his hand out to the 33-year-old former Arsenal midfielder after the national anthems were sung.
'He had one word that is not in the book of life - it could create a little fire'
07:59 , Jamie Braidwood“He had a bad reaction with some bad names, that’s why the story started,” Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz later said. “My intention was to tell him to cool down with that tackle. It could be a second yellow card, a red card, because he went with his foot against my player.”
Asked what Jude Bellingham had said, Queiroz replied: “It was nothing special. It’s just that emotional moment, the moment he had one word that is not in the book of life. It could create a little bit of fire. But immediately as professionals we pulled up. Football is something for brave people – not for people dancing in tuxedos.”
Jude Bellingham involved in foul-mouthed bust-up with Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz
07:49 , Jamie BraidwoodJude Bellingham was involved in a brief bust-up with Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz with England manager Thomas Tuchel denying that their Group L opponents “got under their skin” during the 0-0 draw in Boston.
The heated incident came at half-time and shortly after Bellingham fouled Jerome Opoku near to Ghana’s technical area. Bellingham and Queiroz exchanged words and the England midfielder had to be pulled away by team-mate Morgan Rogers while several Ghana substitutes held back the veteran Queiroz.
England incidents examined: Ezri Konsa on Prince Abu
07:37 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland then got away with one again shortly after.
With Prince Adu sent in behind once more after Eberechi Eze was shoulder-barged off the ball, Ezri Konsa made a last-ditch lunging challenge to thwart the Viktoria Plzen player but got none of the ball, wrapping his leg around and making contact with Adu’s knee, who then went down.
After a scramble to clear the ball ended in the offside flag going up, there was no sign of a VAR check taking place to review the incident and play resumed shortly after with an England free-kick.
England incidents examined: Jordan Pickford on Prince Adu
07:27 , Jamie BraidwoodIn a game that lacked forward inspiration for either team, Ghana looked to break on the counter in the 67th minute as substitute Prince Kwabena Adu surged towards the box, chasing a forward ball.
Pickford rushed out of his area in a bid to get there first but instead collided with Adu as there pair went in for a 50/50 challenge.
While both men had the right to challenge for the ball, it looked like Pickford had committed the foul, clattering into Adu after the Ghana midfielder made an attempt to touch the ball, which had by the point of contact ran just past Pickford.
But in a huge reprieve for England, referee Saíd Martínez of Honduras awarded the free-kick in favour of Pickford, who picked up a knock on the shin in the process.
Last night: Croatia pile pressure on England with nervy World Cup win over eliminated Panama
07:18 , Kieran JacksonAnte Budimir’s second-half goal kept Croatia’s hopes of progressing to the latter stages alive but knocked out Panama, ahead of their final group-stage clash against England
Croatia pile pressure on England with nervyWorld Cup win over eliminated Panama
Dismal England serve up World Cup shocker to highlight old problem
07:11 , Richard Jolly, at Boston StadiumThe surge isn’t sustained, but it means another more dour trend is continued. For the fourth tournament in a row, England draw their second game.
Momentum is stalled, expectation drops back again. They weren't looking like champions in this one. Thomas Tuchel hasn’t changed everything yet. Far from it. Nothing he did seemed to change the game here. Ghana were excellent value for a 0-0 draw, with a supremely disciplined defensive performance. And while Tuchel raged, Carlos Queiroz was punching the air with his delighted players. They celebrated this like a win, and it still could have been that.
Dismal England serve up World Cup shocker to highlight old problem
Jude Bellingham questions odd World Cup call after ‘second game fever’
07:10 , Kieran JacksonJude Bellingham questioned why he was named player of the match in England’s drab goalless draw against Ghana at the World Cup.
A standout performer and goalscorer in England’s opening win against Croatia, Bellingham struggled to impact the game in Boston as Ghana stayed solid in their deep defensive shape.
Bellingham was substituted for No 10 rival Morgan Rogers with 20 minutes to go and the Real Madrid midfielder, having been named as a surprise recipient of the player of the match award, admitted it was another case of “second game fever” for the Three Lions, who have now drawn their second group game in their last four major tournaments.
Bellingham questions odd World Cup call after ‘second game fever’ for England
Carlos Queiroz jokes 'VAR went for a coffee' for Ghana penalty claim
07:08 , Jamie Braidwood“I’m not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup. We still have VAR? It’s working?
“I have some doubts about that because another penalty that they need give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England (was missed). We had our chances to the point that they’re lucky. They’re very lucky.
“Once again, VAR went for a coffee. It’s natural, I would like to also take my coffees once in a while, but it was a clear penalty, red card.
“You have any doubts about that? You guys who saw the game have any doubts about that or is it only me that was in the game?
“At the end of the day, that’s why I say it was a fair result. They play more time with the ball, we fight more, we fight better, we create our chances, they have chances at the end.
“I think they are happy and I am happy also with the draw. I’m sorry for my sarcasm, but if I say these kind of things seriously they punish me, so I hope you understand that I’m joking.”
