Once again England left Massachusetts disappointed as it drew 0-0 with Ghana.
Jordan Pickford started in net behind a backline that featured Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Djed Spence made up the backline while Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice were in the middle.
Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon were on the wings while Jude Bellingham was the No. 10. Up top was Tottenham legend Harry Kane.
For Ghana, the attack featured Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, and Inaki Williams. Thomas Partey is able to play in the U.S. and started in the midfield.
Partey is facing criminal charges including sexual assault and seven charges of rape. This impacted his ability to play in Canada as he wrongly told border officials he had never been arrested or charged with a crime.
The backline featured Gideon Mensah, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjei Adjetey, and Marvin Senaya. Benjamin Asare stepped in net with Lawrence Ati-Zigi dealing with a groin injury.
It was a rather methodical start to the match as Ghana was more than willing to sit back and absorb pressure while England was seemingly waiting for the perfect chance to score. Neither side had generated a shot on goal through the first 10 minutes of the match.
Madueke was the lone creator in the early stages. England seemingly was looking to get him on the ball and he was doing a good job of creating space and attacking opponents in 1v1's. His counterpart Gordon would later find his footing and similarly cause problems for his opponents.
But England just seemed off. They were making silly mistakes and it led to them struggling to find the back of the net. While it could have been because of the weather – or the historical struggles that the nation has had in Massachusetts – fans at Boston Stadium were seemingly left disappointed if they came out to see The Three Lions.
Ghana seemed more than happy with the draw. The Black Stars were quick to boot the ball up field rather than build possession and create on the attack. Ghana had rare moments where they would get forward on the counter, but The Black Stars were content with playing in their own half.
The first card was issued in the 41st minute as Rice was issued a yellow card for a stomp to the ankle. The official had largely been letting the teams play but that infraction crossed the line in his judgment.
Ghana seemed much more willing to attack in the second half. After surviving the first 45 minutes, it seemed like The Black Stars had the belief that they could get three points.
Similar to the first half, England was passing the ball around the box and seemingly looking to pass it all the way into the net. Bellingham had a chance at the top of the box but neglected to take the shot. Gordon did get an opportunity on goal but his shot was aimed right at Asare who swallowed up the ball with his chest in the 57th minute.
Williams was the first Ghanaian player to receive a yellow card with his tackle near the box entering him into the referee's book in the 60th minute. The temperature of the game turned up another level as Partey delivered a crunching tackle in the 62nd minute. On a recycled ball from the free kick, Spence nearly opened the scoring but his blast sailed over the crossbar.
Ghana and England both made two changes in the 66th minute. Bukayo Saka and Nico O'Reilly replaced Gordon and Spence while Ghana's Ayew and Williams were replaced by Abduel Fatawu Issahaku and Prince Kwabena Adu.
There were shouts for a foul on Pickford in the 67th minute after he came out of his box and collided with Adu but the official ruled that the Ghanaian striker went in with his studs up and gave possession back to England. Kane attempted to break the deadlock in the 68th minute but his shot calmly went into the hands of Asare.
Eberichi Eze and Morgan Rogers came on in the 74th minute and replaced Bellingham and Anderson. Then in the 83rd minute Madueke was replaced by Marcus Rashford.
In the 86th minute Asare made a diving save to keep the score level as a Saka curler put him to the test. Kane followed the attempt up soon after with a header but it rocketed off the crossbar and he was later ruled offside.
England turned up the pressure with chance after chance in stoppage time but was unable to break the deadlock.
The result is massive for Ghana who is now in second with four points above Panama and Croatia who play later in the evening. The Black Stars are in the driver's seat and will feel a lot better about its chances of securing a second-place spot.
England was just wasteful on the day and failed to take advantage of its chances. With the talent on the roster, The Three Lions should have at least buried a goal.
Ghana next plays Croatia while England plays Panama with both matches taking place on June 27.
