Michael Owen, a former England international, has called for perspective regarding the reaction to England's goalless draw with Ghana in the World Cup. Owen stated that one early game in a tournament changes little and that the backlash following the performance was disproportionate.
"Was it a brilliant performance? No. Was it disappointing? Of course. But some of the fallout would have you believe England's challenge has fallen apart overnight," Owen wrote. He drew on his own experiences from three World Cups, noting that tournaments do not unfold in a predictable manner. He recalled instances where England's fortunes shifted dramatically after initial draws or losses, such as in 2002 when a draw against Sweden was followed by a win against Argentina, and in 1998 when a loss to Romania was followed by a victory over Colombia.
Owen highlighted Argentina's 2022 World Cup campaign, where they lost their opening match to Saudi Arabia but went on to win the trophy, as further evidence that early results are not necessarily indicative of final outcomes. He also pointed out that Ghana's defensive strategy made the match difficult, a common occurrence in major tournaments.
"The reality is that Ghana came to defend. They put bodies behind the ball and sat deep. It wasn't pretty, but it was effective," Owen observed. He added that such matches are not typically where World Cups are won or lost, with those crucial games usually coming against stronger opposition.
Owen suggested that England was only a Harry Kane shot away from a 1-0 victory, which would have led to praise for their patience. He also commented on how players handle such results, stating that elite footballers are adept at compartmentalizing performances and results to avoid succumbing to self-doubt.
"Trust me, the players will not be sitting in their hotel rooms thinking, 'Oh, I'm the worst player and we're the worst team'," Owen asserted. He believes the team will focus on their previous performance where they scored four goals, their possession of world-class attackers, and their current standing of four points from two matches, which he considers a healthy position, especially in a challenging group.
The expanded 48-team format, Owen argued, makes tournaments more forgiving, diminishing the impact of a single poor result. He suggested that an off-day during the group stage is perhaps opportune, allowing teams to build rhythm and momentum for the knockout rounds.
Regarding team selection, Owen dismissed the notion that a single change would transform the team, emphasizing the importance of substitutes and fresh legs, particularly against tired defenses. He anticipates continued debate and criticism but believes a team can develop a positive