2026 World Cup: Five major talking points from Ghana’s goalless draw with England

Ghana’s goalless draw with England at Boston Stadium produced plenty of talking points despite the lack of goals. From a pre-match handshake incident to controversial refereeing decisions, here are the key moments from the Group L clash.

Djed Spence declines Partey’s handshake

Attention turned to England defender Djed Spence before kick-off when he appeared to decline a handshake with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey during the pre-match formalities.

The incident came amid speculation over how England players would interact with Partey, who is facing criminal charges in the United Kingdom and has denied all allegations.

While the English FA issued no directive, the moment quickly sparked discussion online.

Ghana’s penalty claims rejected

Black Stars were left frustrated after referee Saíd Martinez waved away appeals for a penalty following an incident involving substitute Prince Kwabena Adu and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Many felt there was enough contact to justify a penalty, and possibly a red card, but neither the referee nor VAR intervened. The decision is likely to remain one of the most debated moments of the match.

Bellingham avoids sanction

England midfielder Jude Bellingham also drew attention after appearing to cover his mouth while speaking to Ghana captain Jordan Ayew.

The gesture has come under scrutiny in recent years as football authorities push for greater transparency on the pitch.

However, no action was taken, and Bellingham completed the game without being booked.

Benjamin Asare shines Again

Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare was one of Black Stars’ standout performers. The Hearts of Oak shot stopper produced another composed display, making key interventions and helping the Black Stars keep their first clean sheet of the tournament.

His performance further strengthened his case as Ghana’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Carlos Queiroz gets it right

Carlos Queiroz’s tactical approach proved effective against one of the tournament favourites. The Black Stars remained organised and disciplined throughout, limiting England’s attacking opportunities and frustrating the Three Lions for long periods.

The game plan earned the Black Stars a valuable point.

Group L Race Goes to the Wire

The draw keeps Ghana in a strong position heading into their final group game against Croatia. With Croatia beating Panama 1-0 in the other Group L match, qualification remains up for grabs heading into the final round of fixtures on June 27.

After taking four points from their first two matches, Ghana’s fate remains firmly in their own hands.

Source: CitiNewsRoom