Jude Bellingham has expressed surprise at being named Player of the Match following England’s goalless draw against Ghana at the World Cup. The Real Madrid midfielder, who was substituted with 20 minutes remaining in the match held in Boston, suggested the award should have gone to a Ghana player due to their defensive performance.
England captain Harry Kane also shared his disappointment regarding the draw, acknowledging that Ghana defended effectively in a compact block, making it difficult for England to create opportunities in the middle of the pitch. He noted that the game was largely contested on the wings and involved one-on-one duels.
The result marks the fourth consecutive major tournament where England has followed an opening win with a draw in their second group match. Bellingham referred to this pattern as “second game fever,” a recurring issue for the Three Lions. Despite the draw, England and Ghana are level on four points in Group L, with England holding a superior goal difference after their 4-2 victory over Croatia.
Reflecting on the draw
Bellingham openly stated, “I didn’t deserve it… it probably should have gone to one of their lads who defended so well.” He further elaborated that while he had a few moments in the game, it was challenging to make a significant impact. The Player of the Match award is determined by an online fan vote, and Bellingham expressed gratitude to those who voted but maintained his view on who was more deserving.
The midfielder acknowledged Ghana’s strategy, noting, “They played for a draw as it would have seen them through. Fair play to them.” England had several chances, including a late opportunity for Kane, but they were unable to convert. Kane reflected on the difficulty of such matches, stating, “Sometimes you need an early goal to open up the match, for them to come out but as the game goes longer at 0-0, they believe more and defend more with their heart.”
Ghana’s defensive resilience was a key factor, with Nico O’Reilly hitting the bar late in the game and Kane missing the subsequent rebound. There was also an unpunished challenge by Ezri Konsa on Ghana forward Prince Adu in the penalty area, which could have led to a different outcome.
Looking ahead to the next match
Despite the frustration, Bellingham emphasised that there is “no cause for concern” within the England camp. He stressed the importance of not becoming overly negative about the result and highlighted that the team is in a strong position heading into their final group stage match. England’s next opponent is Panama, with the match scheduled to take place in New Jersey on Saturday.
Bellingham believes that playing against diverse styles of teams, such as Ghana, will benefit England in the later stages of the tournament. He noted the value of facing a strong African opponent that presents different threats, particularly on the counter-attack. This exposure, he suggested, will help prepare the team for future challenges.
England previously defeated Panama 6-1 in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup, a match where Kane scored a hat-trick. Both England and Ghana will play their final group stage matches on Saturday, with England facing Panama and Ghana playing Croatia.
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Source: independent.co.uk
