Three Lions lack motivation as defensive masterclass from Queiroz frustrates Kane and Co

England struggled to draw against Ghana tonight with Thomas Tuchel unable to find a way to break down Carlos Queiroz’s defence.

It was not a repeat of Croatia’s victory last week as the experienced Queiroz set up a difficult 4-5-1 formation that stifled England and prevented the Three Lions’ attacking players from creating anything meaningful.

Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare didn’t have to keep a clean sheet until the night even though Tuchel brought in a number of attacking players to add something to his team.

That gave Ghana a rare chance at the break and England were lucky to escape with 11 minutes remaining as Prince Adu was blocked by a combination of Ezri Konsa and Jordan Pickford. Konsa considers himself lucky that the officials did not see him as careless with the ball as he did not receive a single ball with a lot of men.

England captain Harry Kane spurned England’s best chance after seven minutes, firing home from six yards after Nico O’Reilly’s cross was headed wide.

Tuchel failed the test as England held on

Tuchel was brought in with a reputation for tactical flexibility and game management, yet none of that was evident as England’s approach remained largely the same during a game as bad as the weather in Boston.

England had 78.8% but did very little so the unknown Kane, winger Jude Bellingham and new Barcelona man Anthony Gordon had a shocking night on the left wing.

The second half was brighter than the first, although that wasn’t saying much after the opening 45 minutes in which England swaggered and swaggered but failed to attack.

Declan Rice had two chances, the first a 30-yard free-kick that went over the bar and the second a header by Noni Madueke that went wide.

Kane saw another effort bundled wide as the half drew to a close and Ghana, despite the best efforts of the tireless Jordan Ayew, were more than happy for the game to go into the break.

England is improving but it’s too little, too late

The first hour of the second half followed a similar pattern, with England in possession but lacking motivation.

Madueke saw a deflected shot go up and curled another effort over the bar.

Asare saved a routine effort from Kane and substitute Bukayo Saka nodded away Madueke’s cross.

A number of changes that have seen the likes of Saka, Morgan Rogers and Marcus Rashford come in have sparked England into life, although that has left them exposed at the other end.

Saka forced Asare into his first good save of the night with five minutes to go, diving to his right to put away a curling shot.

O’Reilly and Kane both went close – exactly how Bayern Munich’s goal machine missed the rebound after the ball fell well to him inside the six-yard box only you will know – and then Marc Guehi tried to clear the line.

The recent flurry was for naught, with Ghana holding on for a deserved point.