Stout Ghanaian defense earns 0-0 draw with England

The first half saw England try to break through a sturdy Ghanian defense.

Ghana’s tactic was clear, let England control the ball and keep as many players in front of net as possible.

And for a majority of the half, their tactic worked.

England outshot Ghana in the first half six to 0. But none of those six shots would be on target.

Of the six attempts, four would be blocked and two would miss the net entirely.

With Ghana’s defense standing tall, both sides would enter the half in a 0-0 deadlock.

Coming out of the half, Ghana looked to do more of the same.

It would take them till the 50th minute to find their first attempt on net, courtesy of Marvin Senaya.

Senaya’s strike, however, would be blocked away before it posed any threat on net.

It would take over 55 minutes before either keeper was forced to make a save.

The first save of the match for either side would come in the 57th minute when Ghana’s Benjamin Asare would gobble up an Anthony Gordon strike.

A moment of controversy would occur in the 67th minute.

Ghanaian forward Prince Adu and English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford would collide right outside the box.

Referee Héctor Martínez would rule the collision in favor of England, awarding them a free kick.

But a replay would show that Pickford would miss the ball entirely, which means the contact should have been ruled in favor of Ghana.

Which would have given them a dangerous free kick right at the top of the box.

In the 79th minute, Adu would find yet another great opportunity to score and be involved yet again in some controversy.

Adu would receive a through ball from Fatawu Issahaku, taking a direct charge onto net.

Adu would drive into the box before England’s Ezri Konsa would make a risky tackle in the box, taking him down.

Martínez would rule offsides originally, but following a brief pause for VAR, Adu was shown to have been onside, no foul was given.

In the 86th minute England would squander several scoring opportunities.

First, a Bukayo Saka strike would be saved by Asare but would be quickly recycled by England for another attempt.

Moments later, a Nico O’Reilly header would catch the crossbar and Harry Kane’s rebounded strike would be skied over the net.

England’s late press was relentless, however.

O’Reilly would try once again and yet again he would be denied as his strike was headed off the line.

Ghana’s defense stood firm, long enough for the full-time whistle to ring out and announce the scoreless draw.

Ghana and England will both play their final group stage matches at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

England will face off against Panama and Ghana will take on Croatia.

Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official.