Kane silenced as England held to goalless draw by Ghana

England, one of the tournament favorites, were held to a goalless draw by a Ghana side that packed its defense and refused to yield.

England drew 0-0 with Ghana on Wednesday in their 2026 World Cup Group L second match at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The result left both sides level on four points — one win and one draw each — with England staying top of the group on goal difference.

England fired 18 shots but managed only four on target against Ghana's massed, physical defensive wall. Bad luck compounded the frustration when a crucial header struck the crossbar, and England had to settle for a single point. Ghana, who attempted just two shots, successfully executed their draw-first game plan.

England, who beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Harry Kane as the lone striker. Ghana — also winners in their first match, against Panama — countered with a 4-1-4-1 setup featuring veteran forward Jordan Ayew.

England pressed forward from the opening minutes, while Ghana deployed Thomas Partey — who had been denied entry into Canada on rape charges — as a defensive midfielder and set up to absorb pressure and hit on the counter.

England had their first chance in the 14th minute when Declan Rice's right-footed free kick sailed just over the crossbar. Kane then received a through ball from Rice in first-half stoppage time, held off four defenders and got a shot away from the left side of the penalty area, only to see it blocked.

England turned up the pressure after the break and kept knocking on Ghana's door, but could not break down the wall of defenders packed into the penalty area. In the 69th minute, Kane's left-footed effort from just outside the penalty arc went straight at the goalkeeper, and a minute later Bukayo Saka's close-range header cleared the crossbar.

England pushed harder in the closing stages. In the 87th minute, Saka's left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty arc was saved by the goalkeeper, and in the ensuing attack Nico O'Reilly's close-range header struck the crossbar, squandering a golden opportunity.

As O'Reilly's header rebounded off the bar, Kane drove a powerful left-footed shot from directly in front of goal — but it sailed well over the crossbar, and England ended the match without a goal.