England face reality check against Ghana
England were held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana, who defended deep and posed problems for the Three Lions' attack.
England faced a different challenge in their second group match compared to the first against Croatia. While Croatia pressed high, Ghana defended deep and were happy to let England have the ball, as illustrated by their 78.2% possession. Ghana's coach Carlos Queiroz seemed to take great pleasure in suggesting several times that England had "no solutions".
Thomas Tuchel admitted: "It is difficult to find a way through when someone plays a 4-5-1 and completely deep and is committed to it and they celebrated a 0-0 like a win." He added: "You cannot lose your head about it."
In the first game against Croatia, England's runners out wide and through the centre offered a threat. With Ghana sitting back, the Three Lions needed a touch of individual magic but could not find it. Bukayo Saka offered hope in his cameo, underscoring a dilemma for Tuchel around his wide men and the need for change. Anthony Gordon was once again quiet, replaced by Saka 25 minutes from time, who forced Ghana keeper Benjamin Asare into a fine late save.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport: "For Thomas Tuchel, I now expect changes on Saturday night against Panama." Rooney noted that England probed but lacked crossing when a team sits in a low block. "I don't think we crossed the ball enough in 90 minutes."
England captain Harry Kane was so well marshalled that he only had two touches in the Ghana penalty area in the first half, although he blazed a late chance over the top. The midfield looked one dimensional, raising questions about what impact a creator like Morgan Gibbs-White or Adam Wharton might have made. Two absent playmakers – Cole Palmer and Phil Foden – might also have helped break down an obdurate Ghana side, but their club form was not good enough.
Tuchel is insistent that Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson will build the midfield platform, but England lacked ideas and variety for long periods. Rice told BBC Sport: "They were very compact, 5-4-1 off the ball and tight spaces to play through, but on the other hand we can do more with the ball. You have to give credit to Ghana. We have one more group game to top the group, so we have to be positive."
