Harry Kane endured a nightmare performance as England were held to a goalless draw by Ghana in their second World Cup group match, with the Bayern Munich striker missing a gilt-edged chance from six yards. The result came after a Ghanaian witch doctor claimed to have placed a curse on the England captain.
England Dominated but Failed to Score
England controlled possession but managed only four shots on target against Ghana's low block. The best opportunity fell to Kane in the second half, but he sliced a left-footed volley over the bar after a header from Nico O'Reilly struck the woodwork. Fans on social media were quick to mock the miss, with one user writing: "Thomas Tuchel got Timo Werner flashbacks when Harry hit that moon ball." Another said: "Kane didn't miss, he just got spiritually pressed." A third added: "I don't want to say it worked, but the proof is in the pudding, well the proof is from the six-yard box actually."
Witch Doctor's Curse Claims
In the build-up to the match, Ghanaian witch doctor Nana Kwaku Bonsam, whose name translates to "Devil of Wednesday," claimed to have placed a curse on Kane. Nana said: "I am working on Harry Kane. I have shown what I am capable of before so I know what work I must do to stop him. I am very famous for my predictions. I am not wishing him serious injury. It will be just enough to stop him against my country. I will do my work so that it can help Ghana." Nana previously claimed responsibility for a knee injury that threatened Cristiano Ronaldo's participation in the 2014 World Cup.
Kane Reflects on Missed Chance
Speaking after the match, Kane said: "You go through games like that. I was just waiting for an opportunity like that to fall my way. It was the kind of game as a striker where you're just waiting for the ball to bounce, and it did. I just couldn't quite get over the ball, but I'd back myself to score that more often than not. It is what it is. I've been a striker long enough to know they don't always go in, so I have to accept it."
Ghana's Defensive Tactics
Kane also struggled to influence the game against Ghana's resilient defence. He added: "I was almost man-marked by [Thomas] Partey for a lot of the game. I didn't really have the space to drop deep and then arrive late in the box, and they also defended the box well. We had plenty of crosses, but we just couldn't quite get the first contact. The balls through the middle were tough to play because it was so compact in there."
Group L Standings
England play Panama on Saturday and must win to confirm their place as Group L winners. The draw leaves England on four points, while Ghana have two points after their opening win over Panama.
