Goal-less draw between England and Ghana in World Cup group match

 Goal-less draw between England and Ghana in World Cup group match.

This really is becoming a case of history of repeating itself. Four years ago in the World Cup of Qatar in 2022, England simply demolished Iran in their opening qualifying match 6-2. Then, ironically, in their next game, the Stars and Stripes of the USA frustrated and denied Gareth Southgate's England so annoyingly and yet so predictably that maybe England should have known better. It was like a stern reprimand, a warning to the rest of the world that England should really stop being so arrogant, presumptuous and insular. 

And yet four years later and, after the most mental and cultural metamorphosis under Southgate, England eventually reached their now customary quarter final summit and went much further into the tournament than any of us had a right to expect. They're England, flaky, vulnerable, gullible and impressionable. They'll never achieve anything. Now they did lose to France in the last eight but England musty old mindset had undergone a revolutionary reset. Attitudes had changed on a much more commendable scale. England had finally come of age, a team who, according to Southgate had to believe they could win the World Cup. 

But after a rousing and exhilarating 4-2 victory over Croatia in their World Cup group opener, last night felt like a flat pancake or the demoralising burst of a balloon. Something was clearly missing. It almost felt as if the laboratory experiment which had worked out so well had now gone up in flames with the wrong kind of sodium. There was a quiet confidence about the national side which had permeated so easily into Thomas Tuchel's fit and sprightly squad. You could have forgiven for thinking that this would be the most leisurely stroll in the park. 

And then Ghana moved onto centre stage and everybody simply expected and that proved England's almost regulation downfall. Never assume anything because if you do, you may regret it permanently and that's how much it pretty well panned out for England. Ghana had already earned a 1-1 draw at Wembley fairly recently and were no pushovers but this was an exercise in tedium and stultifying anti climax. England had pressed the slow button on last night's proceedings and by the end, they were almost stationary.

In fact so sluggish, lifeless and lethargic had England become, that it was rather like watching a Strauss stately waltz without the chandeliers and mirrors. England crawled, shuffled and inched their way into the Ghana half like an exotic tortoise almost reluctant to move. We are now at a stage of England's development where only baby steps in their evolution really count for anything. And yet England were painstakingly static, much too patient at times and lumberingly laborious. 

Last night reminded you of some excruciatingly boring BBC Test Card. At times England were perhaps too respectful of the opposition and never really the ruthless attacking machine most of us were hoping for. This was no Boston tea party and besides, that was ancient history and this was a World Cup football tournament rather than a celebration of American independence. England had forgotten all about the co-ordinated passing movements and the clarity of thinking that had so characterised their convincing win against Croatia.

England eventually came to life in the second half against Croatia after an eventful four goals in the first half. There were though one or two loose bolts and nails at the heart of a creaky England defence which shipped two Croatia equalisers and turned most of the England fans into nervous wrecks. In the second half  Tuchel's loud rocket in the dressing room, electrified England into life.  But a gorgeous run and goal from Jude Bellingham, two Harry Kane's specials from the penalty spot and the most ferocious header from a corner lit up Boston like a Las Vegas gambling casino. 

Sadly though there was nothing to savour from the national side. England were jittery, nervous, luring Ghana into a cul de sac only to find themselves trapped in a dark room. Ghana had erected the most impenetrable fortress and there was nowhere for England to go. The gates were firmly locked and it almost felt as if a vast net had imprisoned England's attack. The yellow Ghanian brick wall was a model of stubbornness, the most perfect example of high security and iron clad solidity. They were not budging though and, with an hour gone, England were throwing more than the traditional kitchen sinks at Ghana.

At the back, both Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Djed Spence were venturing forward with neat and attractive designer football, football of the highest culture. But in front of them Declan Rice was always mobile and far sighted with inventive short passes into space, always aware of any hint of danger. Rice seemed to be pacing himself with an air of measured restraint. Rice and Elliott Anderson of Nottingham Forest formed the most compatible partnership, floating around the midfield areas with perfect serenity. And then the magical and spontaneous Jude Bellingham began to turn around the Ghanian defence like a spinning top. 

Charging down the flanks was the tricky, mischievous Arsenal schemer Noni Madueke, twisting, teasing, making a mockery of his defensive counterpart. But this wasn't going to according to plan. The closest England came to scoring was a Nico O'Reilly header that pinged off the bar. Kane then shot wildly over from close range late on but that was through no fault of his own. England had exhausted all conceivable options and it all flopped and fizzled out rather lamely. 

But no immediate harm had done to England's prospects. They are still in the driving seat in their group with four points. Barring the most calamitous collapse against Panama, England looked set fair to progress into the knock out stages of the World Cup. So far so good although perhaps a victory may have made for more pleasant viewing last night, England will move deep into the World Cup make or break stages and the rest is anybody's guess. 

And then the camera panned to Sir David Beckham, the architect of so many rococo free kicks with a nod to the baroque. Beckham was in the crowd last night and suddenly the mind reeled back to that dramatic last gasp free kick winner against Greece which ensured England a World Cup place in 2001. We tried to forget the petulant Beckham kick out against Argentina's Diego Simeone, a nasty blot on an otherwise unblemished, illustrious career. 

Above all it is now time to look forward to England's final group game against Panama. At the moment England have now been branded as a side who need to take a reality check. If you haven't that tiresome cliche once you may never want to hear it again. Still, it's steady as she goes.