Tuchel, Kane, Rice, Pickford, and Guehi give an honest reaction after England’s frustrating goalless draw with Ghana.
England now hold the record for having the most possession (78.8%) without scoring in World Cup matches since 1966.
Things got a little heated at half-time… pic.twitter.com/XcydBcwkdM
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 23, 2026
England boss Thomas Tuchel spoke on Harry Kane’s chance, saying, as per BBC Sport’s live blog: “Normally, a clear goal for us. It’s a big chance and then another chance. It would’ve been deserved.
“We knew it would be difficult. They went even more defensive than in the first match; they defended in a 4-5-1. We found our intensity the longer the half went but we couldn’t get the reward.
“We were very good at defending the counter-attacks for most of the match. We have to pay a huge amount of attention to that. Subs were very good.
On change of plans for Panama: “I have no idea. Panama is in four days.”
England’s Declan Rice, speaking to BBC, said: “It is always difficult when you play against 11 behind the ball as deep as they were, but you have to find solutions. In the last 10 minutes we were unlucky not to score.
“We still have a great chance to top the group against Panama so positivity all round. They were very compact, 5-4-1 off the ball and tight spaces to play through, but on the other hand we can do more with the ball.
“You have to give credit to Ghana. It’s tough and they are good players so it was never going to be an easy game. We have one more group game to top the group so we have to be positive.
“Loads of top nations draw the first game so there is no need to be negative or downbeat. We will stay positive.”
England’s Harry Kane told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Obviously disappointed not to win the game. It’s a game we knew we had loads of possession, we did and they defended well in a low compact block and made it difficult to play in the middle or the pitch, so the game was outside and one v one duels. I think both ends of the half in the first and second half we got some momentum there and chances.
“It’s a game we could’ve walked away 1-0, 2-0 and moved on.It was never going to be the prettiest game because of the way they played. Credit to them, they defended well, dangerous on the counter-attack. Overall, we defended that pretty well. They didn’t have many chances. We take the point and move on.”
On what was missing today: “Maybe just a little bit of quality but these games are tough. I’ve played in these types of games, a lot of us have played in these types of games. Sometimes you need an early goal to open up the match, for them to come out but as the game goes longer at 0-0, they believe more and defend more with their heart. We still had chances towards the end there. I’m backing myself to sore more often than not. One of those but I’ve lived the striker life long enough to know they’re not always going to go in. I back myself nine times out of 10 but it just didn’t fall my way today.
“We wanted that second win today but it weren’t to be. But overall we’re in a good position and we look forward to the next one.”
England’s Jordan Pickford, speaking to BBC, said: “We knew it was going to be tough against Ghana. We knew they would play counter-attacking football. They were really hard to break down, we had our chances and we had to be wary of counter attacks, but that’s football and we needed to get the first goal.
“They played a good game, but we have got to be happy. We’re still top of the group, now focus on Panama and top the group. Ghana have players like Semenyo so you have to be ready to be called upon and that’s what I felt I did.
“We would’ve loved to win the game, but we have not lost. It’s tournament football and still in our hands to top the group. You play different teams every game and we just needed that goal, it’s as simple as that. We limited them to so little chances.
“We never managed to get that goal, but that’s football.”
England’s Jude Bellingham to the BBC, on being named player of the match: “I didn’t deserve it, to be honest. It probably should’ve gone to one of their lads who defended so well. Had a couple of moments but couldn’t get in the game. I’m grateful to whoever voted.
“Second game fever isn’t it with England, isn’t it? Win the first one and draw the second. It’s OK. I think they played for a draw, which would have seen them go through. Fair play to them. They did a great job.
On who he thinks of when he wins awards: “My family, team-mates, and the coach who gave me the chance to be at the World Cup. I probably didn’t deserve this one but grateful nevertheless.”
England’s Marc Guehi to BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s so important to put things into perspective. That’s what life’s about. On another day we win the game and everyone’s buzzing. The main thing is the performance was good, the performance, we looked like a team that wanted to score, that had chances to score goals and it’s important we learn from this game and build.
“You can see at the end of the game what it meant to them, so I think it’s important to give credit to them. I think it’s important to put things into perspective, learn and move forward.”
Ghana’s Carlos Queiroz said to the BBC: “The first goal is achieved, and we qualified for the second round. I am so proud of the way our players fought during the game and how much they stand behind the game plan. They always believed. My humble opinion is that England can be candidates to win the World Cup. It is a gift for our fans. It is a gift for some of the players we lost.
“That’s the way to win when you have to defend, you defend. I cannot play samba when they play rock and roll. The goal was to finish the first half with the England team frustrated and no solution to beat us. That was when we started to grow up and control the game. We could score, but unfortunately, we didn’t do it. I think England could score, so a draw was a fair result.
On what it means: “Happiness. Win is happiness, but in this moment, the win is nothing. We reached the second stage, which was the goal.”
