2026 World Cup: I 'didn't deserve' player-of-the-match award vs Ghana, says Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham claimed that he ought not to have been named player of the match after England were handed a timely reality check by Group L rivals Ghana by being held to a frustrating goalless draw in Boston

Just six days after their entertaining 4–2 victory over Croatia, Thomas Tuchel's side encountered a very different challenge against a disciplined Ghana team that defended deep, remained compact, an succeeded in disrupting England's attacking rhythm throughout.

Clear-cut opportunities were at a premium in a contest defined by defensive organisation rather than attacking flair, with England struggling to break down a resolute Ghanaian back line.

The game’s best chance fell to England’s record goalscorer Harry Kane in the closing stages as moments after substitute Nico O'Reilly saw a back-post header strike the upright, the rebound dropped invitingly for the Bayern Munich forward only for him to blaze over from close range with the goal at his mercy.

Bellingham was awarded the official player of the match, but the Real Madrid midfielder - who was replaced by Morgan Rogers after 73 minutes - felt it should have gone to someone else.

"I didn't deserve it, to be honest," Bellingham told FIFA's in-house media. "It should have gone to one of their lads who defended so well.

"I had a couple of moments; it was hard to get into the game, and I'm grateful for whoever voted, but it should've gone to one of their lads. Like always, it's second-game fever with England. Win the first one, do well and draw the second.

"It's OK though, they played for a draw that would've seen them go through and fair play to them."

As Bellingham eluded to, it means that for the fourth major tournament in a row, England have drawn their second group game.

Declan Rice agreed that the overall emotion was one of frustration, but he refused to get too downbeat after seeing their 100 per cent record end.

The Arsenal midfielder told the BBC: "Loads of top nations drew their first game, so there's no need to be negative. We need to stay positive, keep going, and recover before the next match [against Panama on Saturday].

"You have to give credit to Ghana, they were 5-4-1 off the ball, very compact, tight spaces to play through, but of course, on the other hand, maybe we can do a little bit more with the ball and create a bit more.

"But it's tough as they're good players, and it was never going to be an easy game. Now we have one more in the group to finish top so we need to be positive."

"It's always difficult when you play against 11 behind the ball as deep as they were. You've got to find solutions, and last 10 minutes we probably found more than we did in the game.

"We were unlucky not to score, but we stay positive, we keep going, and we still have a great chance to top the group against Panama."

The match produced the first half of any match at this World Cup in which neither side managed a shot on target.

England’s struggles were reflected in the assessment of assistant coach Anthony Barry at the interval. Barry acknowledged that Ghana’s defensive approach had posed a significant challenge, describing their setup as "deep, deep, deep - probably deeper than we expected."

Ghana, however, could point to a significant moment of controversy of their own late on. Prince Adu appeared to be brought down inside the penalty area by Ezri Konsa, only for the referee to wave away strong appeals for a spot-kick.

• Kane: I was man-marked out the game

Kane was left to rue his big miss with the ball presenting itself at his feet just yards out after O'Reilly had struck the frame of the goal, but for once, the striker proved he is human as he lifted his left-foot shot over the crossbar.

On his late miss, Kane told the BBC: "I was kind of just there waiting for an opportunity like that to fall my way. It was kind of a game as a striker, where you're just waiting for the ball to bounce, and it did.

"I just couldn't quite get over the ball. I back myself to score that more often than not. So it is what it is. I've been a striker long enough to know they don't always go in, so I have to accept it."

Reflecting on the match as a whole, Kane continued: "I think we had loads of protection at the ball, probably the last 15 minutes of both halves is where we were at our best.

"We had some chances, and I had a big chance, so it could have easily been a game where we came away with a win.

"We didn't concede too many chances, a couple of counter-attacks in the whole game, but they've got some dangerous players, and overall we controlled that pretty well. We wanted to win, but we take the point, and we're still in a great position in the group.

"I was kind of man-marked there with [Thomas] Partey for a lot of the game. I didn't have the space to drop deep and then arrive later in the box, but they also defended the box well.

"We had plenty of crosses with, but just couldn't quite get the first contact. The middle was tough to play because it was so compact in there, so it was a game we kind of felt got better as we went along. We started getting the winners one-on-one, and they were dangerous.

"You go through games like that, we're playing in the World Cup, you play against a decent side who are compact and make it difficult, and that's what we come against today."

• Tuchel: I could see this coming

England manager Tuchel expected a tough challenge against a Ghana side that produced a last-gasp ⁠1-0 victory over Panama in their opening match.

It means that Carlos Queiroz's side are one of just four teams yet to concede a goal at this summer's tournament - along with Spain, Argentina and Morocco.

Speaking to the BBC, Tuchel said: "I'm not frustrated. I saw it coming as I knew this would be a difficult game. Ghana are physical and so committed. Full credit to them. They were difficult to break down.

"You need to be patient, but at the right moments be brave. We conceded only two dangerous chances.

"At the end of the half, we grew into it and found rhythm but, of course, fatigue crept in. I liked the attitude, but you need a bit of luck.

"We had enough shots and crosses and a big chance with Harry Kane. It is what it is."