Tuchel urges England fans to keep faith after Ghana stalemate; Ghana furious over penalty no-call

Thomas Tuchel's England side were left frustrated after a goalless draw against Ghana in their final warm-up fixture before the World Cup. The result has done little to silence doubters, but the head coach has called on supporters to maintain faith in the squad.

Match of few chances

The game at Wembley was a cagey affair, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. England's best moment came four minutes from time when substitute Nico O'Reilly saw his header crash back off the crossbar. The ball fell to Harry Kane, but the captain blazed his follow-up effort over the bar, summing up a frustrating night for the Three Lions.

Ghana, however, were far from mere bystanders. The Black Stars had their own chances and were left incensed when referee Said Martínez waved away a strong penalty appeal. Substitute Prince Kwabena Adu appeared to be brought down by Ezri Konsa inside the area, but the Honduran official was unmoved, much to the dismay of the Ghana bench.

Tuchel's message

Speaking after the match, Tuchel dismissed suggestions that England needed a wake-up call ahead of the tournament. "We don't need a wake-up call," the German said, insisting the performance showed resilience rather than cause for alarm. He urged fans not to lose belief in a side that has reached the latter stages of recent major tournaments.

The manager will have noted the lack of cutting edge in the final third, but will also take comfort from a solid defensive display that kept a clean sheet. With key players yet to hit full fitness, Tuchel sees room for improvement.

Ghana's frustration

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz was less diplomatic, expressing his frustration at the officiating. "I'm not sure if VAR is still working," he quipped, referencing the absence of a review for the penalty incident. The Portuguese tactician felt his side were worth more than a point and will take encouragement from their performance against one of the tournament favourites.

For Ghana, this result is a statement of intent. They matched England for long periods and could have snatched a famous win. The penalty decision will sting, but they showed they can compete with top-tier opposition.

What it means

For England, the draw is a reality check but not a crisis. Tuchel's men have work to do in attack, but the defensive structure is promising. The manager's call for belief is timely, as the squad prepares to embark on their World Cup campaign.

Ghana, meanwhile, will head to the tournament with renewed belief. If they can replicate this level of performance, they could be a tricky opponent for any side in the group stage. The VAR controversy will linger, but the Black Stars have proven they belong on the big stage.