England were made to wait in their quest to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup after they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Ghana at Boston Stadium. 

The Three Lions knew a victory would be enough to progress from Group L, but they must now avoid defeat to Panama, who face Croatia in their second match, to advance. 

England started brightly and controlled possession but were unable to test Benjamin Asare, with Declan Rice's stinging drive from a free-kick flying over the crossbar in the 14th minute, and the pattern of the game continued up until half-time. 

Some heroic defending from Thomas Partey denied Jude Bellingham an attempt on goal, before Rice headed over from Noni Madueke's cross and Harry Kane saw his shot from inside the penalty area deflected behind by Jonas Adjetey. 

It was the first time since Croatia faced Belgium in 2022 that neither side managed a shot on target in the first half of a World Cup match, but England got themselves on the board through Anthony Gordon's tame effort just before the hour.

Asare then got down low to stop Kane's strike from the edge of the box before substitute Bukayo Saka sent his header over the crossbar, with Thomas Tuchel introducing Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze for their World Cup debuts. 

But Ghana posed a threat on the counter and only a last-ditch intervention from Ezri Konsa stopped Prince Adu from the chance to test Jordan Pickford, but England looked the more likely to snatch a winner in the closing stages. 

Saka first saw his curling shot brilliantly thwarted by Asare, before Nico O'Reilly headed Reece James' cross against the woodwork, with the rebound falling kindly to Kane, who somehow fired over from six yards out as the spoils were shared. 

England fail to fire but Guehi justifies his selection

After edging an entertaining six-goal thriller against Croatia, many predicted England to sparkle in attack against a Ghana side ranked 65th in the world, the lowest ranked FIFA nation that the Three Lions have faced at a major tournament over the last 30 years. 

However, Tuchel's side struggled to replicate the dynamism on show in attack here, particularly in the opening 45 minutes. England's 104 successful passes ending in the final third were the most by a side that have failed to have a shot on target in the first half of a World Cup game on record (since 1966). 

But at the other end, the England boss will be pleased by Guehi's performance, who came in to replace John Stones in defence. The Manchester City defender won seven fouls, the joint most by a defender on record (since 1966) in a World Cup game. 

He also completed 126 passes, the most by an England player on record (since 1966) in a World Cup match, and he could have even got himself on the scoresheet late on, had it not been for a clearance off the line from his header. 

There will be a lot Tuchel will take from this performance, most notably how his team can improve in attack. England's 19 shots were their most without scoring in a World Cup match since their final group stage game against Nigeria in 2002 (25), while they finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.28.