England player ratings: Bukayo Saka impresses off the bench, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon struggle in 2026 FIFA World Cup draw with Ghana

England dominated possession in Boston, but it wasn't until the 14th minute that the Three Lions forged their first chance as Declan Rice rifled Reece James' short-free kick over the bar from 25 yards.

Moments later, both Rice and Elliot Anderson saw efforts blocked by a resolute Ghana backline keen on frustrating the Three Lions.

It was Rice again who continued to be England's primary attacking outlet, though he could only head a Noni Madueke cross over the bar with 10 minutes of the first half remaining.

Ten minutes after the break and it was Gordon who first tested Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare as the Barcelona man finally worked some space down the left. However, the 25-year-old's shot was straight at the 33-year-old, who dealt with the effort comfortably.

Rice then picked out an unmarked Anderson on the hour-mark as England began to turn the screw. Anderson's header was blocked for a corner, and the two midfielders linked up from the resulting dead-ball, yet the 23-year-old headed over.

Ghana gave England a scare through Prince Kwabena Adu moments after his introduction yet was closed down well by Jordan Pickford.

At the other end, Harry Kane tested Asare while second-half introduction Bukayo Saka headed a Madueke cross harmlessly over.

Adu looked lively after coming on and it took a last-gasp Ezri Konsa challenge to put the youngster off his stride when through on goal, a moment which could have ended in England conceding a penalty.

And as England pushed for the opener, Asare denied Saka, while Nico O'Reilly cannoned a header off the crossbar. Kane then fired the subsequent rebound over the bar from close range.

The Three Lions huffed and puffed for the winning goal yet were unable to make their dominance count as the spoils were shared.

Jordan Pickford - 6 - Could have joined the England fans in the stands in the opening 45. More active in the second half and was required to deny Adu a free run at goal midway through the second half.

Reece James - 6 - Broke forward well to capitalise upon the space between Gideon Mensah and Jerome Opuku. Had a couple of hairy first-half defensive moments following pressure from Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo.

Ezri Konsa - 7 - Far more assured against Ghana than he was in the 4-2 win over Croatia. Caught out by a Ghana ball over the top for Adu to run onto and was fortunate not to concede a spot-kick. He was perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty. Made amends to catch up with Adu to put the 22-year-old off his stride, though he was flagged offside. The Aston Villa man wasn't to know, however.

Marc Guehi - 7 - Came in for club teammate John Stones at the back. Composure and distribution meant England were able to press high up the pitch. Saw a late header cleared off the line.

Djed Spence - 6 - Replaced Nico O'Reilly in a new-look England left side. Pushed down the left flank well yet willingness to cut inside saw Thomas Tuchel's men fail to stretch the play against a congested Ghana. Defensively sound yet slowed England down.

Elliot Anderson - 7 - A solid if unspectacular first half from the Nottingham Forest man. Kept the team ticking over well in the middle of the park. Picked out well by Rice twice in quick succession, yet the Manchester City target failed to make the chances count.

Declan Rice - 7 - Granted greater license to push forward as Ghana sat deep. Fired off England's first chance but was booked shortly before the break after catching Opoku. Did pick out teammates well from dead-ball situations.

Noni Madueke - 7 - Hugged the right touchline early to stretch the play, enabling James in support to underlap and exploit the space. The first time he went down the outside to put a ball in the box resulted in an England chance. Stand out moment after the break came after being moved to the left as he picked out Saka before coming off late on.

Jude Bellingham - 5 - Made some darting runs from deep but cast a frustrated figure as he struggled to gain a foothold in the game in the opening 45. Denied Semenyo with a well-timed tackle as a Ghana counter threatened to materialise two minutes after the interval. Not quite the performance he'd hoped for as he became the youngest England player to reach 50 caps.

Anthony Gordon - 5 - More involved in the final third than he was against Croatia. However, the desire to cut onto his right slowed England down and allowed Ghana to regroup. Mustered England's first shot on target, yet hardly covered himself in glory for the second game running.

Harry Kane - 6 - Forced to drop deep to help advance the play as the Ghana backline kept the Bayern Munich hitman in check for the bulk of the first half. Got his first glimpse of goal in first-half stoppage time following some good play by Guehi and Rice. Worked space moments before the hydration break and let fly with a low drive, but was denied well by Asare. Should really have scored after O'Reilly headed off the bar.

Bukayo Saka - 7 - Replaced Gordon, which saw Madueke move to the left. Perhaps should have done better when picked out by his Arsenal teammate with a fine cross. Denied by Asare with curling left-footed effort before finding O'Reilly with an excellent ball that the Manchester City man headed off the bar.

Nico O'Reilly - 6 - Came on for Spence midway through the second half. Gave England some much-needed width down the left. Headed off the crossbar with five minutes to play

Eberechi Eze - 5 - Subbed on for Anderson with 15 minutes to go to add a little more thrust from deep. Caught in possession by Abdul Fatawu that presented Ghana with a great chance to open the scoring.

Morgan Rogers - 6 - Made a clever run to be picked out by Rice late on, yet struggled to make an impact.

Marcus Rashford - 6 - Showed glimpses off the left having replaced Madueke with a little over five minutes to go.

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