England held 0-0 by Ghana in World Cup Group L. Harry Kane missed late sitter. England draw second group game. Tuchel reacts, VAR penalty debate, Group L still open.
England's World Cup deja vu continued in Boston. Thomas Tuchel's side were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by second lowest ranked Ghana, making it fiur tournament in a row where the three lions fail to win their second group game.
With four points from two games, England have all but secured passage to the last 32. But top spot in Group L is no longer in their control. Harry Kane's glaring miss with three minutes left summed up England's night. Dominance without a killer touch.
63,983 fans at Boston stadium watched England complete 190 more passes than Ghana in the first 35 minutes. Yet it took until the 37th minute forc their first real chance Declan Rice heading over from Noni Madueke's cross. That was it for the first half.
SAME SCRIPT, DIFFERENT OPPONENT
The hope was for a repeat of Tuchel's half time team talk vs Croatian that sparked a second half surge six days ago. Instead, it was more of the same.
England kept the ball, moved it sideways, but Ghana's 5-4-1 low block was disciplined and brave. The black stars came to frustrate and it worked perfectly. They were more than happy with a point that all but secures their progression.
England's first shot on target didn't arrive until the 57th minute. Anthony Gordon's effort was tame and straight at Benjamin Asare. Noni Madueke should've tested Asare in the 64th minute when a half cleared free kick fell to him unmarked, but he fired over.
Ghana weren't just defending. In the 50th minute Senaya beat Gordon to the ball and his pull back flashed across goal, missing Williams run. They had a game plan and executed it.
VAR DRAMA AND KANE'S COSTLY MISS
The game's turning point came in the 79th minute. Substitute prince Adu was played in behind, skipped past the defense and raced into the box. Ezri Konsa slid in and seemed to catch him. The Ghana players screamed for a penalty.
On field officials waved it away. VAR checked it. No penalty. Incredibly.
It's another penalty they need to give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England, fumed Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz post match. Is VAR still working in the World Cup? Do we still have VAR? I have some doubts about that.
Sky sports Micah Richards was less blunt but agreed: "On another day, that could've been a penalty. They have got to sort it out, yes, they are chasing the game, but you still need that protection behind you.
Then came England's moment. In the 87th minute, Nico O'Reilly header crashed off the crossbar. The ball dropped to Kane, 6 yards out, goal gaping. He somehow skied the rebound over.
"I was waiting for the ball to bounce and it did but I couldn't get over it," Kane admitted to BBC Sports. "It is what it is. I have been a striker long enough to know they don't always go in."
Marc Guehi thought he'd snatched it in stoppage time, heading an Eze cross home, but it was cleared off the line with seconds left.
TUCHEL SEES IT COMING, MERSON WANTS MORE FEAR
Tuchel didn't hide his frustration but wasn't surprised. "Not frustrated. I saw it coming as I knew this would be a difficult game. Ghana are physical and so committed. Full credit to them. They were difficult to break down."
"You need to be patient but at the right moments be brave. We conceded only two dangerous chances. We had enough shots and cross and a big chance with Harry Kane. It is what it is."
Paul Merson on sky Sports News was harsher: "it's back to reality. You can't score four in every game, but you do expect to break them down in the end. Tonight you are looking at Palmer and Foden, and that shouldn't be the case."
Jude Bellingham, given player of the Match but uncomfortable with it, summed up the mood: " like always, it's second game fever with England. Win the first one, do well And draw second. It's okay though, the played for a draw that would have seen them go through and fair play to them.
GROUP L TABLE - TOP SPOT STILL UP FOR GRABS
England sit on four points with one game left vs already eliminated Panama on Saturday. A win guarantees progression, but they will likely need help to finish top and avoid Group k winners Brazil or Portugal in the last 16.
Ghana point leaves them on the brink of the knockout stages. Carlos Queiroz's side defended amazingly and earned their draw.
KEY MOMENTS FROM BOSTON:
37' OVER! Rice heads over Madueke cross England's first chance.
57' NEARLY! Gordon fires first shot on target straight at Asare.
79' NO PENALTY! Konsa challenge on Adu waved away by VAR
86' CLOSE! Saka shot saved by Asare.
87' HUGE MISS! Kane blazes over from 6 yards after O'Reilly hits bar.
90+3' OFF THE LINE! Guehi header cleared.
England had 80% possession, 16 shots, 6 on target. Ghana had the cleare chances and the penalty shout. Same old second game story for the three Lions. Can Tuchel finally break the cycle vs Panama?
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