England's 0-0 draw with Ghana in their second Group L match at World Cup 2026 has prompted harsh criticism from international media, with three players particularly singled out. The Three Lions, who had opened with a 4-2 win over Croatia, failed to break down a resilient Ghanaian defense in Foxborough, leaving manager Thomas Tuchel frustrated.
German Media: 'Old England is Back'
German outlet Der Spiegel ran with the headline: 'Old England is back,' drawing comparisons to Tuchel's more conservative tactics at Bayern Munich. The report noted that the performance was reminiscent of Gareth Southgate's era, where England often struggled to score but still reached finals. It added: 'This love could quickly give way to British frustration. Even reaching the World Cup final would not be considered a success for Tuchel if they fail to win the title.'
Spanish Press Highlights Bellingham, Gordon, Kane
Spanish newspaper AS focused on Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, and Harry Kane, stating: 'A point apiece at the Boston Stadium in a lacklustre match where Bellingham, Gordon and Kane couldn't offer much.' The report criticized Bellingham for being 'disconnected' and 'wandering aimlessly,' leading to his substitution by Morgan Rogers in the 70th minute. AS described England's performance as 'cursed,' adding: 'They were cursed. They couldn't do anything right, almost like a toddler just learning to walk.'
French Media: England 'Completely Powerless'
L'Equipe of France was equally damning, writing: 'England proved completely powerless against Ghana's remarkably solid and compact defensive unit.' The report noted that England's first shot on target came in the 57th minute from Anthony Gordon, and that Harry Kane was 'surprisingly quiet.' It concluded: 'Worse still, as the minutes ticked by, Tuchel's men became increasingly nervous, sensing that the situation was slipping away from them. They almost secured their place in the knockout stage, but without reassuring their boisterous fans.'
England Still Top of Group L
Despite the draw, England remain top of Group L with four points, two ahead of Croatia and Ghana, who have two each. A win against their final group opponent would guarantee progression to the knockout stages. However, the international media's scathing assessments have raised doubts about England's championship credentials under Tuchel.
