Queiroz “Thrilled” as Ghana Frustrate England and Edge Closer to Knockouts

England held by Ghana as Queiroz’s side shut down Kane and Co 

Ghana 0-0 England: Queiroz praises defensive masterclass as Black Stars near progression. 

“My players always believed that we had the chance to win against a ‌great team. I will say, (in) my humble opinion...”

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz was delighted after his side frustrated England and picked up a crucial point. He said the goalless draw in their Group L match on Tuesday was fully deserved, and it puts the African side on the brink of reaching the knockout stage.

England controlled the ball for long spells, with up to 80% possession in the first half. But they couldn’t break Ghana down and only threatened late, when Nico O’Reilly hit the crossbar and Harry Kane blazed over.

Queiroz said his players put in the work, closing down space around the box and doubling up on England’s forwards whenever they got through.

It was also the first game of this World Cup where both teams failed to register a single shot on target in the entire first half.

“I am so proud of the ‌way our players fought during the game, how much they stand behind the plan, the game plan,” said Queiroz, in his fifth World Cup appearance as a coach.

“When you have to defend, you defend. I cannot play samba when they play rock and roll. That's the name of the game, but the goal was exactly to finish the first half ⁠with the England team frustrated, with no solutions.”

The second half followed the same pattern. Kane finally forced Ghana’s first save on target in the 59th minute as England pushed late, but they couldn’t find a winner. That means they failed to back up their 4-2 opening win over Croatia with another three points.

“The first goal, it's achieved, we qualify for the second round,” Queiroz said. His team are on four points, level with England after beating Panama 1-0 in their opener. But Ghana haven’t locked up a knockout spot mathematically just yet.

Croatia and Panama both sit on zero points and play each other later Tuesday. The top two teams from each group go through to the round of 32, plus the eight best third-placed teams.

“My players always believed that we had the chance to win against a ‌great team. I will say, (in) my humble opinion, England, they can be candidates to win the World Cup. But this is a result, ‌an achievement," said Queiroz, who had two stints as Manchester United assistant manager in the 2000s.

“When they (England) went into half-time, they knew they don't have solutions to beat us, and that was when we started to grow up and control the game. We could have scored. ⁠Unfortunately, we didn't do it, ⁠but I think also England ‌could score. So a draw is a fair result.”