Queiroz fumes over VAR calls

England’s World Cup campaign lost momentum in Boston as Thomas Tuchel’s side were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ghana.

The result leaves England and Ghana level on four points in Group L, with both teams still waiting to confirm their place in the knockout rounds. England remain in a strong position, but the performance — and the controversy around it — ensured there was little sense of calm afterwards.

According to The Independent’s live report by Miguel Delaney, Richard Jolly and Jamie Braidwood, Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz was furious after two second-half incidents went England’s way.

The first involved Jordan Pickford, who came out of his area and collided with Prince Adu as Ghana looked to break. Referee Saíd Martínez gave the free-kick to England’s goalkeeper.

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Later, Ezri Konsa challenged Adu inside the box, with Ghana convinced they should have had a penalty. There was no obvious pitch-side review, and play continued.

Queiroz later joked that VAR had “went for a coffee” and said England were “very lucky” to escape with a draw.

England struggle for a spark

For England, the concern was not just the result, but the nature of the performance.

After their 4-2 win over Croatia in the opening match, Tuchel’s team were expected to take another step towards qualification. Instead, they ran into a disciplined Ghana side that defended deep, closed central spaces and forced England into long spells of sterile possession.

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England did create chances late on. Nico O’Reilly headed against the bar before Harry Kane sent the rebound over, but the breakthrough never came.

Jude Bellingham, who was substituted during the second half, described the match as another case of “second game fever” for England. It continued a familiar tournament pattern, with England now drawing their second group match at each of their last four major tournaments.

Tension spills over at half-time

The match also carried an edge away from the main VAR incidents.

Bellingham was involved in a brief confrontation with Queiroz near half-time after a foul on Jerome Opoku close to Ghana’s technical area. The Ghana coach later said he had wanted Bellingham to calm down after the challenge, while Tuchel rejected suggestions that Ghana had managed to get under England’s skin.

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Thomas Partey was also booed by England supporters during the first half. The former Arsenal midfielder had missed Ghana’s match against Panama after being denied entry to Canada while facing criminal charges in England, which he denies. Djed Spence also appeared to avoid shaking Partey’s hand during the pre-match line-up.

Rice injury adds to the worry

England’s frustration was compounded after the final whistle by concern over Declan Rice.

As described by The Independent’s Alex Pattle, Rice was seen limping through the mixed zone after the match with bandaging around his left calf.

The midfielder had played the full 90 minutes, despite having been an injury doubt before kick-off. With the schedule tightening and England still needing to finish the job in Group L, his condition will be closely watched.

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Panama test now carries more weight

England will face already-eliminated Panama in New York on Saturday, while Ghana meet Croatia in the other Group L fixture.

A win should be enough for England to secure top spot, but the Ghana draw has removed any chance of easing through the final group match with a heavily rotated side.

Tuchel’s team are still well placed. But after a night of missed chances, refereeing controversy and injury concern, England’s path through the tournament suddenly looks less straightforward than it did after their opening win.

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