England 0-0 Ghana was a study in beautiful futility: 79% possession, 19 shots, and not a single goal in front of 63,983 at Gillette Stadium near Boston. Thomas Tuchel's side circulated the ball at will against a Ghana team ranked 69 FIFA places below them, yet barely tested stand-in keeper Benjamin Asare — the Hearts of Oak man drafted in after Lawrence Ati-Zigi was hurt against Panama, who calmly handled everything thrown at him.

The chances came late and squandered. On 87 minutes, substitute Nico O'Reilly's header cracked the crossbar and Harry Kane, with the goal gaping, blazed the rebound over — leaving him stuck on 10 World Cup goals, still level with Gary Lineker's England record. Marc Guéhi had a header cleared off the line in stoppage time. Earlier, Bukayo Saka (86') was denied by Asare.

The night belonged to Ghana's defiance and a refereeing row. Coach Carlos Queiroz was incandescent over a waved-away penalty for Ezri Konsa's challenge on Prince Adu, and Jordan Pickford's collision with Adu. "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," he fumed. He added: "We celebrated because we got a draw against a team who are one of the favourites to win the World Cup."

Tuchel was unbothered: "Not frustrated. I saw it coming as I knew this would be a difficult game. You need patience but at the right moments be brave." Jude Bellingham, earning his 50th cap to become England's youngest ever to the milestone (22y 359d, beating Wayne Rooney), shrugged: "Like always, it's second-game fever with England."

Weird & wonderful

Ghana managed exactly two shots all match — and zero in the entire first half — yet walked away with a point against World Cup favourites.

The numbers describe near-total England control without end product: 79% possession, 586 accurate passes to Ghana's 127, and 19 shots to 2, yet an xG of just 1.36 reflects how few of those efforts were genuine openings — only 3 found the target. Ghana's 24 fouls to England's 14 and their wall of clearances show a deliberate spoiling game, and a 0.17 xG against confirms Pickford was a spectator. Declan Rice's 41st-minute yellow was England's only booking.