England escape Pickford red card and penalty shouts in drab World Cup draw with Ghana

England were held to a goalless draw by Ghana in their World Cup Group L fixture, a result that flattered Thomas Tuchel’s side after a series of contentious refereeing decisions went in their favour.

The most significant moment came in the 67th minute when Jordan Pickford rushed from his goal to challenge Ghana substitute Prince Kwabena Adu, who had surged towards the box chasing a forward ball. Pickford collided with Adu after the Ghana midfielder had made contact with the ball, which had by that point run just past the England goalkeeper. Despite the incident appearing to favour a Ghana free-kick — and potentially a red card for Pickford — referee Saíd Martínez of Honduras awarded the decision to England. Pickford picked up a knock on the shin in the process.

Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz was visibly furious at the call. Former England striker Alan Shearer, commenting on the match, sided with him. “I agree with him. I didn’t think that was an England free-kick at all, I think it could have been given the other way,” Shearer said. “He realises he’s in trouble does Jordan Pickford. He knows he’s not going to get to the ball.”

England’s luck held again shortly afterwards. After Eberechi Eze was shoulder-barged off the ball, Adu broke in behind once more and Ezri Konsa made a last-ditch lunging challenge that made no contact with the ball, wrapping his leg around Adu’s knee. The Ghana forward went down, but an offside flag cut short the move and no VAR review followed, with play resuming via an England free-kick.

BBC referee analyst Darren Cann was unequivocal in his assessment. “Konsa makes no contact at all with the ball. He brings down his opponent. He’s airborne, he’s out of control, he makes contact with the attacker and no contact with the ball. For me, this is a penalty kick,” Cann said. “This should have been referred to the video assistant referee.”

Cann noted that referees at this tournament have generally been reluctant to overturn on-field decisions unless they are “clearly, clearly wrong”, which may explain why the incident was not reviewed.

England were unable to make the most of their good fortune, failing to find a late winner in a game that offered little in the way of attacking quality from either side. The draw leaves both nations’ Group L standings finely poised.