Declan Rice insisted England remain in a good position despite being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by a resolute Ghana in their FIFA World Cup Group L clash in Boston.
Familiar Second-Game Jitters Resurface
For the fourth consecutive major tournament, England struggled to impose themselves in their second group fixture. Having opened with a commanding victory, Gareth Southgate’s side found the Ghana defence an immovable object at Boston Stadium. The pattern echoed frustrating draws against Scotland (2021), the USA (2022), and Denmark (2024), though this time the opposition offered even less attacking ambition.
Ghana, content to defend in a compact low block, limited England’s clear-cut chances and came closest to scoring themselves when Prince Adu went down under a last-ditch challenge from Ezri Konsa, sparking furious penalty appeals that were waved away.
Rice: ‘We Have to Take the Positives’
Standing in the mixed zone, midfielder Declan Rice refused to be downbeat. “I stay positive because we didn’t lose. We controlled the game but just couldn’t find the back of the net,” he told BBC Sport. “It’s a clean sheet, a point on the board, and we’re still top of the group. In tournament football, you have moments like this. It’s about how you respond.”
“I stay positive because we didn’t lose. We controlled the game but just couldn’t find the back of the net. It’s a clean sheet, a point on the board, and we’re still top of the group.”
Rice acknowledged the need for greater urgency in the final third, adding that England “will analyse what went wrong and go again” in their final group match.
Off-Field Subplot and Handshake Snub
The match also saw a controversial pre-game moment when Djed Spence appeared to refuse a handshake with Ghana’s Thomas Partey. The Tottenham Hotspur defender’s gesture came amid Partey’s ongoing legal issues, with the Villarreal midfielder due to stand trial next year on charges he denies. The Football Association had not issued specific guidance but expected players to follow FIFA protocol, as they did against Croatia.
What the Draw Means for Group L
With four points from two matches, England are almost certainly through to the knockout phase but face a battle for top spot with their final group game to come. Ghana’s first point of the tournament leaves them in contention to advance, making the group’s conclusion finely balanced. Southgate’s men will likely need a win to ensure a more favourable last-32 opponent.
Key Takeaways
- England produced a disjointed attacking display, mustering few clear chances against a disciplined Ghana backline.
- Declan Rice stressed the importance of staying calm, noting that a draw and clean sheet on the road remains a solid result.
- A marginal penalty call for Ghana could have changed the game, highlighting England’s defensive vulnerabilities in transition.
- The handshake incident involving Djed Spence and Thomas Partey adds an awkward subplot to an already tense group stage.
- Top spot in Group L remains up for grabs, with England needing a strong finish to avoid a trickier knockout path.
Quick Facts
Result: England 0-0 Ghana
Venue: Boston Stadium
Possession: England 71% – 29% Ghana
Shots on target: England 3 – Ghana 1
Group L standings: England (4 points), teams TBC; Ghana (1 point) still alive
Next for England: Final group match – winner takes top spot
