Tuchel berates Spence five times in England's frustrating 0-0 draw with Ghana

Thomas Tuchel publicly lost patience with Djed Spence during England’s 0-0 draw against Ghana in Boston, with footage showing the head coach bellowing the full-back’s name at least five times in a touchline outburst shortly before the hour mark.

Tuchel had handed Spence, 25, a full World Cup debut ahead of Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly, but the Tottenham defender struggled to make an impact and was withdrawn after 65 minutes. Footage captured Tuchel bouncing in frustration before instructing Spence to “give it and go”, and the German coach returned to the theme during a three-minute hydration break, appearing to demand more urgency down the flank.

Pitch-side reporter Geoff Shreeves described the exchanges in detail. “He was getting to Djed Spence and looked like he was telling him to get down the flank, he was gesticulating along those lines,” Shreeves said. “He’s just given two talks the length of a half-time team talk.” Tuchel also used a stoppage caused by head injuries to Jordan Ayew and Reece James to address Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane directly.

England dominated in volume — 19 shots, three on target — but could not find a way through a disciplined Ghana backline. Kane spurned the clearest opportunity late on, blazing over from inside the box after O’Reilly’s header struck the woodwork.

Tuchel was measured in his post-match assessment, crediting Ghana’s defensive organisation while acknowledging his side’s shortcomings in the final third. “I have hardly seen a team defend so physically and committed like Ghana did, so full credit to them,” he said. “It was difficult to break them down. You need to be patient and precise and in the right moment, you need to be committed and be brave.”

The result leaves England with one point from two World Cup group-stage matches, piling pressure on Tuchel’s squad ahead of their next fixture.