Time for Thomas Tuchel to earn his money after Ghana stalemate

England's goalless draw with Ghana has shifted the mood after their opening win over Croatia. They dominated possession — completing 111 passes in the opening 12 minutes to Ghana's 14 — but created little: no chance from open play for 36 minutes and only three shots on target until Nico O'Reilly hit the bar with four minutes remaining.

Harry Kane had just three touches in the Ghana box and missed a close-range effort in the 87th minute. Thomas Tuchel set up much as he did in the first game, but Ghana's deep, compact defending left England without space. Tuchel waited to introduce attacking options — bringing on Bukayo Saka and O'Reilly after 65 minutes, then Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze 10 minutes later, with Marcus Rashford given the final 10 minutes — and his hesitancy has prompted questions.

"It didn't fall for us. It was a difficult one," he said. Carlos Queiroz and his players earned praise for their game plan, sitting deep, defending with discipline and physicality and slowing the game whenever possible.

England, Ghana

england, ghana, thomas tuchel, harry kane, bukayo saka, nico o'reilly, marcus rashford, eberechi eze, carlos queiroz, goalless draw