Second game syndrome is becoming a real problem for England.
The Three Lions drew 0-0 with Ghana in their second Group L clash of this World Cup in Boston.
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It was a world away from the pulsating 4-2 win over Croatia in Arlington, Texas.
England haven’t won the second match of a major tournament after having won the first since victory over Panama at World Cup 2018.
eSPORTY’s Adrian Durham summed it up at full-time: “What a load of rubbish that was.”
He was particularly scathing in his player ratings.
Difficult second album
There were zero shots on target from either side in the opening 45 minutes – the first time at this World Cup it has happened.
Some of the biggest talking points happened outside of the game.
Djed Spence appeared to refuse to shake Thomas Partey’s hand before the game. That was about his biggest contribution.
Durham gave Spence a 3/10 and said: “A big chance to impress, but he didn’t take it.”
Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham had to be held back after the half-time whistle went as he got into a confrontation with members of the Ghana team.
Bellingham was withdrawn with 17 minutes to go for Morgan Rogers.
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Durham gave him a 5/10 and said: “I’m amazed he was taken off. He’s capable of big moments.”
Pickford concern?
Ghana did not offer a huge amount going forward, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford engineered a couple of worrying moments.
He raced out of his box and made a reckless challenge on Prince Adu and the referee gave a free-kick in favour of England.
eSPORTY’s co-commentator at the Gilette Stadium, Stuart Pearce, said: “He hesitated, and he’s very fortunate to stay on the pitch.
“I think he is very fortunate there.”
Durham gave him just 1/10 and called it a ‘ridiculous performance’ from the England No.1.
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Anthony Gordon also received the brutal 1/10 mark.
He added: “He has actually signed for Barcelona. It really happened.”
Don’t Sweat It
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Another Tuchel team talk?
Tuchel let rip at his England players at half-time against Croatia – sparking a much improved second 45 minutes.
Giving his half-time verdict, Durham felt the same was needed.
He said: “That was deeply frustrating. I wasn’t particularly impressed. The players are way better than that.
“They must have enjoyed Tuchel’s team talk so much that they want another one.”
He waited until the 65th minute to make changes with Bukayo Saka and O’Reilly coming on for Anthony Gordon and Spence.
The substitutions did not have the desired impact – that gets him a 2/10.
Durham added: “Although I give him 10/10 for managing expectations.”
Kane sitter
England finished the game strongly and were pushing for the winner.
It was an all out assault in the final 15 minutes, but that winning goal did not come.
Harry Kane skied a chance from just five yards out. Something that is very unlike the Three Lions skipper after the record season he’s had.
Kane was among four players to get a 2/10 and Durham said: “He was well marshalled but didn’t have enough brightness to make room and chances for himself. Chance to score and ballooned it over.”
England now head to New York to face Panama in their final group game on Saturday, needing a win to guarantee top spot.
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England subs + manager rating
Nico O’Reilly – 4
Eberechi Eze – 3
Bukayo Saka – 5
Morgan Rogers – 4
Marcus Rashford – N/A
Thomas Tuchel – 2
Adrian Durham’s full-time rant
eSPORTY’s Durham let rip at the England players moments after the full-time whistle.
He said: “What a load of rubbish that was. I mean you get your hopes up every single time with England at a tournament. And yes they may well go through the group, and yes they may well get to the knockout stages. But what kind of statement was that?
“When you’ve had such a great second half performance against Croatia, the connection between the players and the fans at the end of that game.
“And all those fans make their way here and they’ve spent a fortune. And what they have to witness, honestly, I just wonder why we bother.”
“Marc Guehi, dilly-dallying on the ball. Madueke, ridiculously overhitting a simple pass to Declan Rice who’s fuming with him and then he gives the ball away.
“Harry Kane staying central, doesn’t really go out wide to make things happen. Anthony Gordon, I mean a Barcelona check in the receipts.
“What’s going on? Seriously, and why was Rashford left on the bench so long?
“Unbelievably bad from England. Let’s see if there’s a connection between the players and the fans here. I don’t expect them to be booed. There’s an effort in there that you’ve got to admire and applaud. I get that but that simply was not good enough.”
