England given reality check by stubborn Ghana to leave group in the balance

It was a talking point beforehand in the England dressing room, Harry Kane bringing it up; a message with it, too. At each of the previous three tournaments, the team had spluttered in game two. The roll call of irritation took in the draws against Scotland and Denmark at the European Championship – either side of the draw against the United States at the last World Cup . Must do better this time, was the gist of what Kane said. England did not do better. The idea was to maintain the momentum they had generated in the 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening Group L tie but there was no surge here. Only stodge. England laboured to create against an ultra-defensive Ghana team, their only pulse-quickening moments coming towards the very end. Thomas Tuchel has made great play of his finishers and two of those he introduced from the bench almost made it happen. Bukayo Saka extended the Ghana goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare, with a low shot while Nico O’Reilly hit the top of the post with a header after England had finally moved the ball with a bit of zip. Reece James provided the cross. From the rebound, Kane lashed high; a gilt-edged miss. In stoppage-time, Marc Guéhi saw a header cleared away from in front of the line. At least England did not lose and the latest second match stalemate was not the worst result. Was it better to take the point rather than risk pushing for all three and getting none? It was certainly more measured and sideways than the performance against Croatia. …