To claim all the air has been let out of the proverbial balloon would be to write England off as genuine World Cup contenders far too early.
This, though, was not pretty. Thomas Tuchel’s side were limited to precious few genuine chances and were unable to find an antidote to Ghana’s shrewd game management and willingness to break up play.
It means England failed to win Group L with a game to spare. They head into the game against Panama now needing a win rather just merely wanting one.
Second-game syndrome strikes again
England continued an unwelcome run in Foxborough. The 1982 World Cup in Spain remains the only time the Three Lions have ever won all three group games in a men’s major tournament. That is a rather appalling record.
In recent years, it has been the second group game in particular that catches them out.
The 2018 World Cup remains the last time they won their second fixture. Since then, a grim 0-0 draw with Scotland at Euro 2020 (in 2021) followed victory over Croatia; another goalless affair with the USA in 2022 after thrashing Iran in their opener; a 1-1 draw with Denmark after victory over Serbia on opening night; and now this.
Harry Kane missed a superb chance to win it at the death
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Ghana did a job on the Three Lions. Since they sacked manager Otto Addo just 72 days out from the tournament and replaced him with Carlos Queiroz, the experienced Portuguese head coach who is managing at his fifth consecutive World Cup has worked hard to shore them up defensively.
Anthony Barry, the England assistant head coach, was not wrong when, in his latest half-time TV interview, he said of Ghana to the BBC: “They defend deep, deep, deep, probably deeper than we expected.”
Ghana’s defensive solidity frustrated England
PA
England drowned their opponents in terms of shots taken — 19 to two — but only two of the Three Lions’ efforts were actually on target, and that haunted them at Boston Stadium where England fans in their anoraks in an open-bowl stadium were left watching a frustrating — and frustratingly familiar — group-stage performance.
There were late chances for Bukayo Saka, Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi — including Manchester City’s O’Reilly striking the woodwork — but no chance proved telling.
A rare positive note was the performance of Declan Rice.
Even though his sublime corner delivery assisted Harry Kane’s second goal against Croatia, Declan Rice’s display in England’s opening game fell below his usual standards. There was a long periods of the game where he did not appear the £100million midfielder he is.
Declan Rice impressed for England
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The 27-year-old revealed in the following days that he has been dealing with “neural pain” since December, yet insisted on Monday that he was now feeling in “very good” shape physically.
You could tell. Rice had a far greater influence against the Ghanaians.
From Reece James’s rolled lay-off, he struck just over from a free-kick. He then nodded over the bar shortly after, and was soon demonstrating his tenacity by nicking the ball off Ghana in midfield and launching a solo counter-attack.
Rice went in late on London-born Jerome Opoku and picked up a deserved yellow card, but this in itself demonstrated his hunger in a far more encouraging midfield performance from the Arsenal man. Those around him were less able to produce their best.