PHOTO: REUTERS

Benjamin Asare’s response to keeping England at bay was as composed as his performance in goal at Boston Stadium. The Ghana goalkeeper played a crucial role as the Black Stars frustrated England to secure a valuable 0-0 draw in Group L, earning Ghana a second consecutive FIFA World Cup 2026 clean sheet after the 1-0 win over Panama. “It’s normal. For me, this is my job. It’s just what I’m supposed to do out there on the pitch. Sure, playing against Harry Kane is all part of the job. It’s nothing out of the ordinary,” said Asare.

AGENCIES

Jude Bellingham said England suffered a recurrence of “second game fever” as they were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Ghana at the World Cup on Tuesday.

Nico O’Reilly hit the bar late on and Harry Kane blazed over the rebound as Ghana’s dogged defensive display forced England to settle for a point in the Group L game in Foxborough.

They were perhaps fortunate to avoid a worse outcome after Ezri Konsa’s clumsy challenge on Ghana forward Prince Adu in the area went unpunished.

It is the fourth consecutive major tournament where England have started with a win before drawing their second match, which was not lost on Bellingham after he earned his 50th cap against the Black Stars.

“Very frustrating. Like, second game fever, you know, the same as always with us,” said the Real Madrid midfielder. “It feels like in all the tournaments I’ve been to, it’s been the same, a decent performance to start and a good win.

“And then just the second one frustrated a little bit with how they defended, how they set up... credit to them. They got exactly out of the game what they played for, couldn’t quite break them down.”

England are still heavy favourites to win the group and face a third-placed team in the last 32, with Panama their next opponents in New Jersey on Saturday. Thomas Tuchel’s side are level on four points with Ghana but have the better goal difference after their 4-2 victory over Croatia last week.

Bellingham insisted there was no cause for concern in the England camp following the Ghana result and said the focus would now turn to Panama.

England thrashed Panama 6-1 in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, a match in which Kane scored a hat-trick.

“It’s important for us not to get too negative, not to get too het up on it,” said Bellingham.

“No worries, no stress, no drama at all in there.”