2026 World Cup: Ghana played a good game, says England goalie Jordan Pickford

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has praised Ghana’s organised defensive display after both sides played out a goalless draw in Group L at Boston Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Black Stars produced a determined and tactically disciplined performance to frustrate Thomas Tuchel’s England side, who enjoyed long spells of dominance but were repeatedly denied a breakthrough in front of goal.

England controlled 79 per cent of possession — the highest recorded by a team that failed to score in a World Cup match in six decades — yet they were unable to find a way past Ghana’s well-structured backline.

After the match, Pickford acknowledged the resilience shown by the four-time African champions, highlighting the challenge they posed throughout the contest.

"They played a good game, but we have got to be happy. We're still top of the group, now focus on Panama and top the group. Ghana have players like Semenyo, so you have to be ready to be called upon, and that's what I felt I did," the Everton goalkeeper told the BBC.

"We would've loved to win the game, but we have not lost. It's tournament football, and still in our hands to top the group. You play different teams every game, and we just needed that goal; it's as simple as that. We limited them to so few chances.

"We never managed to get that goal, but that's football," Pickford added.

The result leaves both teams level on four points at the top of Group L heading into the final round of fixtures.

England now shift focus to their meeting with Panama, while Ghana prepare for a decisive clash against Croatia, with qualification for the knockout stage finely poised.