England Held to a Goalless Draw by Ghana in World Cup 2026

England missed the chance to secure their spot in the last 32 of the World Cup after a dull 0-0 draw against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday. Despite the stalemate, England remain well placed to advance from Group L.

Player Performances: England's Starting XI

• Jordan Pickford: The goalkeeper saw little action, with no saves required and minimal ball involvement as England pushed forward. Rating: 5
• Reece James: Drifted into midfield during England's buildup, linked well with Noni Madueke, and delivered a notable cross that went unconverted. Rating: 6
• Marc Guehi: Replaced John Stones and maintained composure throughout. Played a key pass initiating an attack that led to a shot by Kane. Rating: 6
• Ezri Konsa: Reliable defensively and helped move the ball into midfield. Avoided conceding a penalty late in the game. Rating: 5
• Djed Spence: Starting for the first time in the tournament, he defended solidly, blocking a crucial Ghana chance and contributing to a promising attack. Rating: 6
• Declan Rice: Tried to influence the game with set-pieces but faced difficulties against Ghana's deep defense. Delivered dangerous corners late on. Rating: 6
• Elliot Anderson: Focused on breaking up play and keeping things simple, though less influential than usual. Rating: 5
• Anthony Gordon: Marked tightly and struggled to make an impact. Rating: 5
• Jude Bellingham: Usually England’s creative spark but was limited by Ghana's defensive setup; substituted in the second half. Rating: 6
• Noni Madueke: Stayed wide and high, frequently challenging his marker. Switched flanks in the second half, delivering a dangerous cross. Rating: 6
• Harry Kane: Had a quiet night with few chances; missed a close-range opportunity near the end. Rating: 5

Substitutes' Impact

• Bukayo Saka (65 mins): Added urgency, forced a save from Ghana’s keeper, and headed over the bar from a good delivery. Rating: 6
• Nico O'Reilly (66 mins): Brought natural balance to the defense with his left foot; hit the crossbar with a header late on. Rating: 6
• Morgan Rogers (73 mins): Energetic but found space scarce in midfield. Rating: 6
• Eberechi Eze (74 mins): Came on seeking a breakthrough but lost possession late, allowing a Ghana counterattack. Rating: 5
• Marcus Rashford (83 mins): Showed flashes of promise in limited time. Rating: 6

Player of the Match

Declan Rice earned the highest average rating of 6.41 from BBC Sport users, acknowledged for his effort despite the difficult conditions.

Summary of Ratings

The ratings reflect opinions collected from BBC Sport users after the match.