England given reality check by stubborn Ghana to leave group in the balance

Harry Kane had flagged the danger beforehand, noting that England had spluttered in their second games at the last three tournaments, but the team did not do better. Having hoped to build on the 4-2 win over Croatia, England laboured against an ultra-defensive Ghana and produced only late, pulse-quickening moments.

Two of Thomas Tuchel’s substitutes came close to changing the game: Bukayo Saka forced a save from Benjamin Asare and Nico O’Reilly crashed a header against the crossbar from a Reece James cross, only for Kane to lash the rebound high. Marc Guéhi then had a stoppage-time header cleared off the line.

At least England did not lose; the draw felt more measured and sideways than the performance against Croatia. Defensively England were mainly secure, though they survived a scare when Prince Kwabena Adu burst into the box and Ezri Konsa appeared to touch his opponent first, with loud Ghana appeals for a penalty that went unanswered.

england, ghana, harry kane, bukayo saka, reece james, thomas tuchel, nico o'reilly, benjamin asare, marc guéhi, draw