England's quest for a World Cup victory hit a snag Tuesday evening as they were held to a goalless draw by Ghana in a match marked by rain and missed opportunities. The Three Lions struggled to break down their African opponents, ranked 65th in the world, with captain Harry Kane notably squandering a late chance to break the deadlock. The result left some of the 30,000 fans in attendance at the Boston Stadium voicing frustration.
Following the disappointing stalemate, several England players were seen being comforted by their partners in the stands. Jordan Pickford's wife, Megan, offered the goalkeeper a consolatory kiss after the final whistle. Bukayo Saka was pictured embracing his fiancee, Tolami Benson, in the family box. Other partners in attendance included Ashlyn Castro, girlfriend of Jude Bellingham, and Olivia, wife of defender John Stones.
Despite the setback, England remains favored to advance to the knockout stages, with a match against Panama scheduled for Saturday. The team's next fixture will take place in New Jersey, which is also set to host the World Cup final.
The match, which kicked off at 9 p.m., was watched by millions in pubs across England, with extended licensing hours allowing venues to serve fans. However, supporters who traveled to Boston experienced heavy rain and puddles outside the stadium, contrasting with the heatwave in England and the humidity of their opening match in Dallas.
Fans also expressed discontent over the cost of public transport in the US, with train fares reportedly significantly higher than usual. To reach the stadium, located about 35 miles from downtown Boston, many England supporters utilized a fleet of yellow school buses and coaches, with return journeys costing around $35.
Prior to the match, England fans booed Ghana's Thomas Partey, who faces trial in London on charges of rape and sexual assault, which he denies. TV cameras cut away during the customary handshakes between players as Partey approached the England team.
Among those in attendance was Joe Short, 48, who identified as half English and half Ghanaian. He described the draw as "the best result," expressing mixed emotions as his two home nations competed. Short, who wore a Ghana top in the first half and an England strip in the second, said he felt pride in Ghana's defensive effort and frustration with England's inability to score.