The England football team ended the match with Ghana in a draw, 0-0, in the second stage of Group L of the World Cup. The two teams have 4 points each, but the battle for qualification remains open.
Played at Boston Stadium in cool and rainy weather, the match had pace. The British attacked more, but the Africans defended carefully.
The first opportunity to score was signed by the English, Declan Rice sending the ball slightly over the crossbar with a shot from outside the box (min. 14). The same player managed a dangerous header in the 37th minute, but this time he didn’t catch the target of the opponent’s goal either.
And if Bellingham (min. 33) was blocked by Partey, in overtime of the first half (min. 45+3), Henry Kane tried the opposite goal, but without success. So at halftime the scoreboard showed a white score.
And the second part unfolded according to the same scenario. The English attacked the opposing goal, but ran into the Ghanaian defensive wall. First (min. 57), Madueke’s shot was blocked, and then the ball sent by Gordon was retained by Asare.
After Madueke sent another shot over the goal (min. 64), Kane (min. 69) shot from 18 meters, but Asare was on the post. On the other side, Prince Adu entered the English box, but lost the ball and the phase ended (min. 78).
The biggest opportunities came at the end. Saka (min. 86) shot from the edge of the box, but Asare rejected. O’Reilly (min. 86) headed the ball into the African goal after James’s cross, after which Kane sent an incredible 7-yarder across the goal.
At the end (min. 90+3), Guehi had a header, but Oppong rejected it in front of the goal.
England and Ghana also drew their second straight match after that 1-1 draw in March 2011 when they played a friendly at Wembley. On the other hand, this is Ghana’s first clean sheet at the World Cup in 17 matches played.
England have not lost to African teams
England thus kept its invincibility against African teams at the football WC, having 5 wins and 4 draws with them, respectively seven games without conceding a goal.
With 10 World Cup goals, level with Gary Lineker as England’s top scorer in the competition, Harry Kane has now played his 116th game for his country. He is third on the all-time list of international caps, behind Peter Shilton (125) and Wayne Rooney (120), overtaking David Beckham (115).
The team from the Cape Verde Islands surprised again, drawing with the double world champion Uruguay
England will play their final group game against Panama on June 28. On the same day, Ghana will face Croatia.
England – Ghana 0-0
BOSTON (June 24, 2026) * Stadium: Boston * Spectators: 63,983 * Referee: Martinez said * Assistant referees: Walter Lopez, Christian Ramirez (all from Honduras) * Referee no. 4: Ma Ning (China) * Reserve Assistant Referee: Zhou Fei (China) * Video referee: Armando Villarreal (USA) * Video assistant referees: Erick Miranda (Mexico), Abdullah Alshehri (Saudi Arabia)
Yellow cards: Rice (min. 41), Inaki Williams (min. 60).
England: 1. Jordan Pickford – 24. Reece James, 2. Ezri Konsa, 6. Marc Guehi, 25. Djed Spence (3. Nico O’Reilly, 65) – 8. Elliot Anderson (21. Eberechi Eze, 73), 4. Declan Rice – 20. Noni Madueke (11. Marcus Rashford, 83), 10. Jude Bellingham (17. Morgan Rogers, 73), 18. Anthony Gordon (7. Bukayo Saka, 65) – 9. Harry Kane (capt.).
Unused reserves: 13. Dean Henderson, 23. James Trafford – 5. John Stones, 12. Trevoh Chalobah, 15. Daniel Burn, 26. Jarell Quansah, 14. Jordan Henderson, 16. Kobbie Mainoo, 19. Ollie Watkins, 22. Ivan Toney.
Coach: Thomas Tuchel.
Ghana: 16. Benjamin Asare – 26. Marvin Senaya (21. Kojo Peprah Oppong, 87), 4. Jonas Adjetey, 18. Jerome Opoku, 14. Gideon Mensah – 3. Caleb Yirenkyi, 5. Thomas Partey, 8. Kwasi Sibo – 19. Inaki Williams (7. Abdul Fatawu, 66), 9. Jordan Ayew (capt. / 25. Prince Adu, 66; 17. Rahman Baba, 90+5), 11. Antoine Semenyo.
Unused reserves: 1. Lawrence Ati Zigi, 12. Joseph Anang – 2. Alidu Seidu, 6. Abdul Mumin, 23. Derrick Luckassen, 15. Elisha Owusu, 20. Augustine Boakye, 10. Brandon Thomas-Asante, 13. Christopher Bonsu Baah, 22. Kamaldeen Sulemana, 24. Ernest Nuamah.
Coach: Carlos Queiroz.
Group L
Matches played
June 17, 2026
England – Croatia 4-2
June 18, 2026
Ghana – Panama 1-0
June 23, 2026
England – Ghana 0-0
Ranking
1. England 4 points (+2)
2. Ghana 4 points (+1)
3. Panama 0 points (-1)
4. Croatia 0 points (-2)
Next games
June 24, 2026
2:00 a.m.: Panama – Croatia
June 27, 2026
0.00 am: Croatia – Ghana
0.00 am: Panama – England
