‘The VAR went for a coffee’: Were England ‘lucky’ to avoid World Cup defeat to Ghana?
Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz said his side were denied a “clear penalty” and a “red card” against England and joked that the VAR was “on holiday” and must have “gone for a coffee” to have missed both incidents.
Queiroz said England were “very lucky” that both incidents went their way after Jordan Pickford avoided a red card after colliding with forward Prince Abu outside the box and defender Ezri Konsa later brought Abu tumbling inside the area.
“I’m not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup. We still have VAR? It’s working?” Queiroz asked after the 0-0 draw in Boston.
“I have some doubts about that because another penalty that they need give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England [was missed]. We had our chances to the point that they’re lucky. They’re very lucky.”
Jamie Braidwood24 June 2026 11:59
England player ratings v Ghana
Nico O’Reilly – 7. So unlucky not to score after rising highest in the box late on, but his header rattled the crossbar.
Morgan Rogers – 6. Looked bright when he came on for Bellingham and may well get his chance from the start against Panama.
Eberechi Eze – 5. Gave the ball away cheaply, which presented a chance for Ghana on the break, and didn’t do much attacking-wise in his 20 minutes on the pitch.
Marcus Rashford – 7. The main question is: why did it take Tuchel until 82 minutes to bring him in? Immediately looked threatening on the left: direct and brave on the ball. Should start against Panama.
Kieran Jackson 24 June 2026 11:44
The worst game of tournament so far
Maybe this World Cup had been just too exciting. Previously sceptical Americans were in danger of being converted to soccer. The various ills of Gianni Infantino and Fifa were being camouflaged by a flood of goals, many of them fine.
Not here. Loud boos greeted the hydration breaks, though they were no less eventful than much of the match. At least when nothing happened during them, there was no actual expectation of anything occurring. This was the worst match of the World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel had stated he had enjoyed one of the best weeks of his career. But that was before a shocker of a match. His team emerged with a point and retain top spot in Group L. But, frustrated and frustrating, they were dismal nonetheless.
Richard Jolly in Boston24 June 2026 11:29
England player ratings v Ghana
Quiet last week, the Barcelona winger actually started sharply but faded massively and backed out of an aerial contest with Senaya defensively, which almost cost England a goal. Gordon did have the first shot on target of the game in the 57th minute, but he hasn’t done enough over two matches and he will be lucky not to lose his starting spot for Marcus Rashford against Panama on Saturday.
Overtook David Beckham (watching on in the stands) in the all-time England appearances list… but that was just about as good as it got for the Three Lions captain on Tuesday. And that glorious late chance, skying high with his left foot with the goal at his mercy, will haunt him. An off day.
Bukayo Saka – 7. Had a really good sight on goal after coming on, but his header ballooned over. Also worked keeper Benjamin Asare with a shot rifled towards the corner. Is he fit enough to start against Panama?
(PA)
Kieran Jackson 24 June 2026 11:14
England fans boo hydration breaks during World Cup clash with Ghana
Fans let their dissatisfaction be felt during England’s Group L encounter against Ghana by loudly booing the decision to take a hydration midway through the first half.
The pause, made mandatory by Fifa for every match at this year’s tournament, came just a few moments after a previous stoppage in which England defender Reece James and Ghana striker Jordan Ayew both received medical treatment following a clash of heads.
England had won a throw in as they attempted to break down Ghana’s compact and deep defensive shape with the match still goalless when the hydration break was called.
Jamie Braidwood24 June 2026 10:59
England player ratings v Ghana
Most influential player on the pitch in a drab first-half, with a free-kick and header over the bar, but the midfield linchpin did pick up a needless booking. Set-piece deliveries were a tad predictable.
Again, won the battle of the wingers, but wasn’t as impactful as he was against Croatia. Bright on the right-hand side and carved out more opportunities than Gordon on the left, but was wasteful when he had a glimpse of goal. Could lose his spot to Bukayo Saka.
A day of frustration for England’s No 10. Struggled to make an impact going forward, but did make a perfectly timed tackle to deny Semenyo a run on goal. A bit stale, nonetheless.
(PA Wire)
Kieran Jackson 24 June 2026 10:44
The risk of playing Declan Rice in World Cup group finale against Panama
Thomas Tuchel may opt to leave Declan Rice out of England’s final Group L match against Panama to avoid risking his absence for the round of 32.
Rice picked up a yellow card in Tuesday’s drab goalless draw with Ghana in Boston, which saw the Three Lions stay level with the African nation on four points at the top of the group.
It means England have business to do in their third group outing against Panama on Saturday 27 June but midfield mainstay Rice could be dropped to avoid the risk of suspension.
Will Castle24 June 2026 10:29
England player ratings v Ghana
Replacing Manchester City teammate John Stones in the starting XI, Guehi slotted in seamlessly. Should start at the back for the foreseeable, such is his poise and pace. Had a header cleared off the line in stoppage time.
A surprise starting pick over Nico O’Reilly, Spence was solid on his first World Cup start. While he didn’t actually face a single one-on-one battle with Antoine Semenyo, he did cover well to deny Marvin Senaya after his second-half burst into the box.
Struggled to influence proceedings in the same way as he did against Croatia, but perhaps inevitable given Ghana’s shape. Didn’t do enough with a free header at the back post on 61 minutes.
Kieran Jackson 24 June 2026 10:14
Declan Rice urges England to remain ‘positive’
It’s always difficult when you play against 11 behind the ball and as deep as they were. You have to find solutions and the last 10 minutes we probably found more than we did the whole game,” Rice told BBC One.
“We were probably a bit unlucky not to score, but, look, we stay positive. We keep going and still have a great chance to top the group against Panama, so positivity all round.
“You have to give credit to Ghana – 5-4-1, off the ball very, very compact, tight space to play through, but of course on the other hand, maybe we can do more with the ball and create a bit more.
“Look, it’s tough. They are good players, it was never going to be an easy game and now we have one more in the group to finish top, so we need to be positive.
“Loads of top nations drew their first game. No need to be negative or downbeat. We need to stay positive, keep going and recover for the next match. That’s what we will do.”
Jack Rathborn24 June 2026 09:59
England player ratings v Ghana
Did not have a single save to make but was perhaps fortunate to escape without sanction after a collision with Ghana substitute Prince Kwabena Adu outside the penalty area. A welcome clean sheet after conceding two goals against Croatia.
Teamed up nicely with Noni Madueke on the right early on but was slow and predictable with the ball at his feet. Was it the sort of game where England missed the ingenuity of, say, Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back?
Made a crucial intervention from Antoine Semenyo in the box at the end of the first-half and looked more assured after his shaky World Cup debut against Croatia. Was he lucky not to give away a penalty in the second-half after a questionable lunge? Perhaps.
(Reuters)
Kieran Jackson24 June 2026 09:44