Ghana’s Black Stars produced a disciplined and resolute defensive performance to hold England to a goalless draw at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in a Group L fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
An inspired defensive display ensured Ghana earned a goalless draw with England at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
It was a first half punctuated by perspiration rather than inspiration.
Ghana made their gameplan clear from the outset as they sat deep and looked to pick England off on the counterattack.
The strategy, devised by coach Carlos Queiroz, proved enormously effective, neutralising an England side that had entered the match full of confidence following a 4-2 demolition of Croatia in their opening group fixture.
In a match of few opportunities, Harry Kane missed England’s best chance when he skied a late close-range volley with the goal gaping.
Ghana stood tall against wave after wave of England pressure, with the Three Lions’ only half-chance in the first half coming through a looping Declan Rice header which cleared the crossbar.
After the break, Elliot Anderson saw a close-range header blocked shortly before Anthony Gordon fired an effort into the midriff of goalkeeper Benjamin Asare.
Ghana’s valuable point threatened to become three when substitute Prince Adu was played in behind and seemingly caught by a wayward Ezri Konsa slide, which inexplicably was waved away both by the on-field officials and VAR.
In a frantic final few minutes, with England desperately pushing for a winner, O’Reilly headed a cross against the crossbar with the loose ball falling to Harry Kane — who somehow blazed over with the goal gaping.
Declan Rice then swung in a corner from the left but Kane was seemingly unable to jump for it and make a connection at the back post.
In stoppage time, Rashford earned England another corner with a cross from the byline that was deflected behind.
Rice’s delivery was worked into the middle for Guehi, whose header was cleared away by Peprah Oppong.
Both sides will enter their final match on 27 June with four points apiece following the draw at Boston Stadium.
Ghana will take on Croatia in their final outing, while England have a meeting with Panama.
England’s difficult second game afflicted them for a fourth successive tournament as Ghana frustrated them to a 0-0 draw in Boston, leaving their hopes of topping Group L in the balance.
Just as in their second group fixture against Scotland in 2021, the USA in 2022 and Denmark in 2024, England struggled to impose themselves on the game.
For Ghana, the result is a landmark achievement — they will be pleased with a point that ensures they go into the final round of matches in the top two.
The Black Stars will now face Croatia in their final group game, knowing a positive result could see them advance to the Round of 32 for the first time since their historic 2010 World Cup campaign.