The encounter between England and Ghana in Foxborough was a complete contrast to the clash against Croatia, wasn’t it?

Thomas Tuchel’s men were held to a goalless draw, as Ghana’s defensive organisation nullified England’s attacking threat for the majority of the 90 minutes.

So, did anyone manage to stand out as a hero from this dull affair?

Jordan Pickford had virtually nothing to do in the opening half, aside from launching passes forward – which was expected. He was fortunate to receive a free-kick following a collision with Prince Adu just before the drinks break, a decision that could easily have gone the other way.

Reece James controlled proceedings in the first half with sharp and accurate passing, again highlighting why Thomas Tuchel hardly needs Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, a moment of concern came when Antoine Semenyo turned the Chelsea defender skilfully before half-time, exposing a defensive weakness.

Ezri Konsa, who looked shaky against Croatia, was back to his composed self here. The Aston Villa centre-back was like a metronome, recording more touches than the entire Ghanaian team in the first half. He appeared more comfortable alongside Marc Guehi at the heart of defence. Konsa was also somewhat lucky to avoid a red card after a mix-up with Adu that was eventually deemed offside.

Marc Guehi had a steady outing. Calm and assured in possession, though he remained relatively quiet as Konsa dealt with most of the defensive incidents. The pair faced little real danger overall, but Guehi could have shown more urgency.

Djed Spence often drifted inside from his left-back role during the first period but took nearly an hour to link up effectively with Anthony Gordon on that flank.

Elliot Anderson took on plenty of defensive responsibility in midfield, protecting the back four and giving Declan Rice the freedom to push forward. Beyond that, however, he didn’t influence the game much – perhaps it simply wasn’t suited to his style.

Declan Rice was England’s standout performer early on. He fired a free-kick just over the bar within the first 15 minutes, saw another effort blocked, and sent a header over. He continued to showcase his trademark energy by winning the ball high up and driving forward. In the second half, he mainly contributed through set-pieces and didn’t have his usual impact in breaking up Ghana’s rare counter-attacks.

Noni Madueke maintained width well on the right and was one of the brighter sparks in the first half, repeatedly reaching the byline and posing a threat. As the match progressed, though, the Arsenal winger’s frustration grew, and his decision-making suffered. He looked solid when switching to the left but failed to create anything of real significance throughout the game.

Jude Bellingham barely featured in the first half, but three minutes after the restart, he made an excellent tackle on Semenyo – a moment that encapsulated his World Cup so far. His tireless work often goes unnoticed, yet he remains essential to England’s system. Around the 58th minute, he sprinted 40 yards to overlap Gordon, covering for Spence, who had stayed back defensively.

Anthony Gordon was completely contained by the brilliant Marvin Senaya in the first period. The winger had frustrating spells but was isolated for long stretches. He looked more threatening when linking with others, yet this will feel like a missed opportunity to impress ahead of Marcus Rashford in the competition for the left-wing spot.

Harry Kane was nearly invisible in the first half, largely due to Ghana’s compact defensive block. While critics often complain about him dropping too deep, here he seemed too static, waiting for the ball instead of influencing play. He should have secured the win in the 85th minute but blasted over the bar after O’Reilly’s earlier effort struck the woodwork – a night to forget for the captain.

He did, however, show glimpses of why he remains England’s first-choice striker, producing the best shot of the game and consistently challenging his marker. His fitness will be vital for the remainder of the tournament.

O’Reilly’s header that struck the bar in the 85th minute demonstrated his aerial ability, reminiscent of his form at Manchester City. Though his chances were limited, his presence could become increasingly important as the competition continues.

Other substitutes found it tough to make an impression. Some struggled to find space, others made a few mazy runs but never got a clear sight of goal. There were flashes of composure and creativity, but none truly dictated play. They will hope for more opportunities in the next fixture against Panama.

Overall, England’s performance lacked sharpness, with few individuals standing out in a disciplined but uninspired draw against Ghana.