90 minutes of stop-start football and no goals from either side to show for it. A goalless draw is certainly not what Thomas Tuchel would have wanted from his side in a battle against a much lower ranked Ghana side, but England are still well within control of their group. As Jude Bellingham has said, there is no need for a drama.
There are certainly question marks from this match, no doubt about it. The performance was sub-par from England. Until Bukayo Saka was brought on, and then Marcus Rashford around 18 minutes later, there was a clear lack of creativity in open play against a Ghana side that are extremely physical, defended very deep, and also defended very well. Tuchel was questionable with his substitutions, with Rashford coming on far too late. Djed Spence starting was understandable given his pace to neutralise Ghana’s counter-attacking threat, but it also seemed to nullify England’s left hand side going forward, with Anthony Gordon having another disappointing day. England were also fortunate not to concede a penalty late on, as Ezri Konsa’s reckless challenge on Prince Kwabena Adu somehow going unchecked by VAR.
As poor as England were, however, they still maintain control of Group L and have been in this position several times before. In each of the last three tournaments, England have drawn their second group game, and on all three occasions the Three Lions have topped their group. England defeated their biggest competition for the group in the first match against Croatia. That left room for error against Ghana, with only Panama left. Defeat Panama comfortably, which England should do, and the group is topped.
For the contenders of the tournament, such as England, the group stage is seen as a qualifying phase for the real tournament, the knockout stage. While Tuchel’s men could have already secured top spot, and certainly would have liked to, the position they sit in is a simple one to top what they will see as a qualifying group. There are frustrations that come from this result, such as not being able to rest key players against Panama with the games now increasing in frequency. Declan Rice seemed to be nursing an injury following the Ghana draw, and given his status of being a booking away from missing England’s Round of 32 tie, resting him, as well as other stars such as Kane and Bellingham, would have been ideal.
On the other hand, the game against Panama offers England’s starters a chance to gain their momentum back before the proper tournament begins. Along with that, this may be the humbling moment these players needed. If they didn’t know it already, they won’t win games simply by turning up. England won’t face many more teams that will set up like Ghana. Panama may look to play in similar fashion, but after that it is knockout football where England will thrive.
While England would have certainly wanted the win against Ghana, Tuchel knew his team could settle for a draw. However, if the Three Lions don’t defeat Panama, it will be time to panic, as that will leave them with a much tougher route to the final, and will truly show that this team has not clicked properly yet. But, for now, there is no need to overreact. England will show in their final group game why they are one of the favourites to win this tournament. Any sort of criticism will be put to bed, and some much needed momentum will be gained for the knockout stages. By the end of the week, the frustrating draw against Ghana will be a distant memory.