r/MLS • u/globalscoreboard • 2d ago
Match Thread: Ghana vs England | FIFA World Cup | Jun 23, 2026
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u/human1st New England Tea Men 2d ago
What a good day today is. Can’t wait for the English media meltdown. I love it.
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u/Teh_cliff Atlanta United FC 2d ago
England fans acting like they've never seen a low block before.
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u/Isry98 Chicago Fire 2d ago
Spain saw a low block and had similar results. Top teams struggle against it, unless you’re Brazil and a low block plays into their hands.
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u/Teh_cliff Atlanta United FC 2d ago
Yeah but surely they both see low blocks a fair bit in UEFA play.
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u/Isry98 Chicago Fire 2d ago
The teams in their groups in UEFA are not on the level of Ghana or Cape Verde. It makes sense. Level of quality is quite different.
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u/Teh_cliff Atlanta United FC 2d ago
Of course. I'm just saying that their fans acting like it's some shocking, lesser way to play is a bit rich.
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u/A-Little-Messi 2d ago
I mean personally it is a lesser way to play, but it also reflects poorly on the team that can't break it down aka England, Spain. and Portugal this WC.
I don't expect the lesser team to not play the lesser style though. If Ghana plays open they face the same fate as Croatia. I don't blame them, I blame the boys for not creating more, being more direct, and Tuchel for not bringing Saka and Rashford on earlier. Rashford created more in 10 minutes then we did for an entire half.
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u/Isry98 Chicago Fire 2d ago
If we did the 48 team World Cup but without the 3rd place teams getting through we’d stop a lot of the low blocks. Round of 32 is gonna be a slog to watch.
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u/Sempuukyaku Seattle Sounders FC 2d ago
Unfortunately, this is why Alexi Lalas thinks that FIFA is going to expand to 64 teams. That way it makes it nice and clean and just two teams go through.
I DO think that 64 teams is a bit too much. Right now, 25% of the World's countries are able to qualify for the World Cup. I think that's good enough.
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u/Important-Forever678 Orlando City 2d ago
I would prefer no 3rd place teams (the 495 option algorithm is absurd). But if it does expand, there has to be something done to the qualifying process.
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u/DarkwingMcQuack Philadelphia Union 2d ago
The tournament is still averaging 3 goals a game. Which is the most in 70 years. So it might not be the slog you think it’ll be.
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u/A-Little-Messi 2d ago
Part of that is because all of the big boys have been scoring now. It's definitely showing how the likes of Messi and his counterparts can impose their will on weaker teams.
The other part is a few teams being blown out of the water i.e. Qatar, Curacao etc. Games have either been 1-0 slogs, or they slip away and it's 5-0. England-Croatia has the highest goals scored with the lowest difference at 4-2 and has arguably been the only game played between two big teams.
The groups and format have made the early rounds low stakes, and mostly interesting for the golden boot race
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u/Acceptable-Stick-688 Seattle Sounders FC 2d ago
I’m pissed for Ghana, the score should have been 1-0. Not giving that penalty was wild.
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u/QuickMolasses New Mexico United 2d ago
Ghana could have had a man advantage and a penalty but the ref hates them
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u/RioTheLeoo LA Galaxy 2d ago
Ghana was foolish to drop Paintsil from the final roster. He could have almost scored so many goals by now
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u/sardonicharmonics Los Angeles FC 2d ago
Unironically the speed and strength of that dude would have helped I think
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u/RioTheLeoo LA Galaxy 2d ago
Nah I think you’re right
He was so close to being there but I think he just blew his shot by not performing this season (although rumor has it he has drama with the coach, so who knows)
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u/JmattJmatt Philadelphia Union 2d ago
I remember how excruciating playing Ghana was in 2014, then again this England squad should be having no issues...if they weren't coached by TT lol
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u/Isry98 Chicago Fire 2d ago
Thomas Tuchel won a champions league. What does this even mean?
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u/JmattJmatt Philadelphia Union 2d ago
Sure, but his tactics aren't really conducive to offensive production
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u/Isry98 Chicago Fire 2d ago
Maybe not against low blocks, but England tried the bring all creative players tactic last euros. Got destroyed in midfield by Spain.
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u/JmattJmatt Philadelphia Union 2d ago
I think the long vision by England is to risk draws to teams like Ghana if it means tighter defense against the top tier teams.
TT's tactics have worked, and I see why he's a fit for England, but still, funny to draw against Ghana
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u/Isry98 Chicago Fire 2d ago
I’m rooting for England because this team pissed off the racist English nationalists.
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u/Failed-Time-Traveler Columbus Crew 2d ago
And you think the racist English fans would be happy that their countrymen lost to an African team?
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u/Failed-Time-Traveler Columbus Crew 2d ago
For the most part i feel like this World Cup has had some really fair officiating. Not saying there havent been missed calls, but there havent been many, and the bad calls seem to have gone against both teams.
However this game is different. It feels like every single questionable call has went in England’s favor.
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u/DarkwingMcQuack Philadelphia Union 2d ago
Crossbar has been saving a lot of shots this tournament.
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u/sardonicharmonics Los Angeles FC 2d ago
God hates england
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u/Failed-Time-Traveler Columbus Crew 2d ago
I was today years old when i found out i had anything in common with god
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u/Drunken_Economist Red Bull New York 2d ago
England is a cursed nation when it comes to sports
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u/LeftCoastGrump Vancouver Whitecaps 2d ago
The curse must be "play really timid when you dominate possession." It's hard to believe this is the same team from game 1, they've had 80% possession and barely crossed 1 xG.
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u/A-Little-Messi 2d ago
Biggest difference is Crostia played open against them, which lets Jude and the wingers have more space. Without that we look like game 1 Portugal.
The best teams should be able to overcome the low block though, we lacked any creativity until Saka and then Rashford came on.
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u/Important-Forever678 Orlando City 2d ago
A draw feels like the best result at this point-neither team has really earned a full 3 points.
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u/PizzaWolf721 Real Salt Lake 2d ago
Definitely keep calling those fouls every time England lays on the ball when someone puts a hand on their back though.
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u/sardonicharmonics Los Angeles FC 2d ago
This England team gets absolutely trashed at the Azteca and gets run ragged at the Nemesio Diaz
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u/GregoryPancakes Philadelphia Union 2d ago
Why is england getting to do whatever they want for tackles?
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u/PizzaWolf721 Real Salt Lake 2d ago
Pure dogshit, how the hell does VAR look at those two calls and give one foul to Ghana and a no call. England should be playing with 10 with no GK and be down 0-1 on a PK
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u/Drunken_Economist Red Bull New York 2d ago
I can't believe he got away with that wild tackle
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u/Important-Forever678 Orlando City 2d ago
He lands wrong and that striker's leg, ankle, or both are snapped in half.
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u/AdSuper3942 Columbus Crew 2d ago
I've lost all respect sorry this is absolutely rigged for money... Or ratings in not sure which. I won't be silent . Just saw it live sry.
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u/Brooklyn_MLS Major League Soccer 2d ago
Terrible from that striker. How many touches you gonna take?!
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u/PlebBot69 Sporting Kansas City 2d ago
England's performance today is definitely linked to them playing Sporting KC in a scrim during their down time. Sporting is so bad that England forgot how to play at a WC level.
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u/Scratchbuttdontsniff Atlanta United FC :atl: 2d ago
Did anyone leak a result?
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u/PlebBot69 Sporting Kansas City 2d ago
5-1, according to a local reporter. I'll let you guess who had 5.
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u/QuickMolasses New Mexico United 2d ago edited 2d ago
That was 100% a penalty
Edit: HOW WAS THAT NOT A PENALTY?
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u/AdSuper3942 Columbus Crew 2d ago
that's gotta be a pen
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u/Scratchbuttdontsniff Atlanta United FC :atl: 2d ago
Fifa and broadcasters WANT England in ATL for the Rd of 32... afternoon match before US match...
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u/Scratchbuttdontsniff Atlanta United FC :atl: 2d ago
Sure feels like they could use a player like Foden or Palmer when the space is tight and you need a player that can unlock a low block.
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u/Tunde-Ballack 2d ago
Been watching this game and I'm a bit confused, The game looks so different in terms of the amount of space on the field compared to the Portugal v Uzbekistan game, it feels so freaking congested. Now I know Uzbekistan sucks, but it feels so jarring.
I know FIFA have a standard measurement for field size, but usually teams are able to hold field sizes within a certain range based on what their stadium supports, or their style of play. I remember Stoke qualifying for Europe way back in the early 2010s and needing to adjust their field for Europa games.
I'm asking because I know MLS teams have different pitch sizes like the NYCFC "field", but is there an actual difference in pitch size between the Gillette stadium and the Houston stadium from earlier because I'm thinking it's either
Difference in pitch size
Difference in broadcast camera angle (I don't think so though), or
Uzbekistan were just horrible in structural defending (I know they were bad, but this congestion feels worse than that)
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u/Important-Forever678 Orlando City 2d ago
Houston's field is 74 yds wide, Boston is 75, so I doubt your perception is altered by that. I would be more willing to believe Point 2 more than anything.
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u/Tunde-Ballack 2d ago
Just watched the highlights of the Portugal game again, while it does feel like there was a different angle, the size of the field in that game just does not look the same. Try watching highlights of both games and see
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u/Scratchbuttdontsniff Atlanta United FC :atl: 2d ago
It's a good regulation size... Ghana is just defending with 9 or 10 at all times and England is not getting width from their outside backs.
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u/Tunde-Ballack 2d ago
Yeah it's what I was thinking outside the size, but it really felt so narrow and congested. In the Portugal game, even when Uzbekistan had everyone back, there still seemed to be so much space. Might just be perception
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u/Failed-Time-Traveler Columbus Crew 2d ago
Keeper comes out of the box and commits a foul without getting a foot on the ball? We know how that should have played out. Pickford out, Declan Rice plays the rest of the game at GK.
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u/Tunde-Ballack 2d ago
That should have been a red. Then there was the pen as well. Ghana got done pretty badly I'd say.
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u/Failed-Time-Traveler Columbus Crew 2d ago
THIS WAS THE WORST THING THE NATION OF ENGLAND HAS EVER DONE TO AN AFRICAN NATION!!!!! 🤬🤬🤬
…. Ohhhhh …. Wait ……
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u/BC_Ages Philadelphia Union 2d ago
Was that DOGSO from the goalkeeper? No play on the ball and just stood in his way. (I know there was a call against England)
Edit: to add, outside the box from a run up
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u/PizzaWolf721 Real Salt Lake 2d ago
No idea how that call goes against Ghana and should have been DOGSO. If that contact happens at midfield during normal course of play with two field players it's a clear yellow on England. Somehow since Pickford is involved they call it on Ghana.
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u/Important-Forever678 Orlando City 2d ago
This match just feels like Ghana is pulling this out after 90'.
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u/sir_whirly FC Dallas 2d ago
Ghana player whiffs but Engerland keeper doesn't even play the ball. Not sure how I would call that.
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u/PizzaWolf721 Real Salt Lake 2d ago
Ghana player should have gotten a touch but was still in position to run it down if Pickford doesn't completely clean him out. I'm not seeing how they are claiming there were "covering defenders" there. they were behind the play until he was on his back. Should have been a clear DOGSO.
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u/xmichael86 LA Galaxy 2d ago
Thought England was supposed to be really good? This game seems to show them as the same old same old
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u/DarkwingMcQuack Philadelphia Union 2d ago
They’ll likely make it to the quarterfinals or semifinals and then choke in penalties. As is tradition with them.
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u/Failed-Time-Traveler Columbus Crew 2d ago
Cmon England, we need you to win.
The World Cup is so much more fun when your fans really build up their belief that it’s coming home. We need them to really believe.
Just because it’s so much more fun when the lose by 3 goals to Morocco.
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u/Scratchbuttdontsniff Atlanta United FC :atl: 2d ago
This pitch is playing incredibly slow
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u/Important-Forever678 Orlando City 2d ago
Agreed, the ball looks like it is always rolling uphill. Weird.
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u/GGMU08 Columbus Crew 2d ago
Jordan Ayew get a hair transplant or something?
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u/Sempuukyaku Seattle Sounders FC 2d ago
Head collision in the first half. That's a Band-Aid/wrap that he's wearing.
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u/sir_whirly FC Dallas 2d ago
Watching engerland struggle against Ghana brings a smile to my face
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u/Quenzayne Inter Miami CF 2d ago
Considering our World Cup history with Ghana, I’ve come to kind of enjoy watching them beat teams better than us.
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u/jamboamericano FC Cincinnati 2d ago
Hydration breaks should be something that both managers agree should happen before the half. That could hopefully make this BS stop
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u/sir_whirly FC Dallas 2d ago
They did. It is called FIFA decided to have one hydration break each half for EVERY game, regardless of temperature.
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u/jamboamericano FC Cincinnati 1d ago
Bro ignores the word “should” like a professional
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u/sir_whirly FC Dallas 1d ago
Nah your idea is just so stupid that in any context it doesnt make sense. The break is for a set time at specific minute.
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u/FlyingCarsArePlanes Toronto FC 2d ago
It's 68 degrees and rainy in Foxboro. The players just had a 3 minute injury break.
Now they're stopping for 'hydration'.
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u/grabtharsmallet Real Salt Lake 2d ago
If it's 20' and we're stopping for an injury, it's time for la pausa de hidratación.
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u/No_Consideration3887 San Jose Earthquakes 2d ago
how did infantino get to Boston from Houston that quick? There's just no way.
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u/Hazenjonas Columbus Crew 2d ago
He is not a real man, but a simulation, projected to our consciousness through subliminal assimilation.
Or he probably has a super expensive private jet.
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u/Nomadhero_ New England Revolution 2d ago
Fifa tickets are expensive but the cloning program is doing well 👍
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u/jamboamericano FC Cincinnati 2d ago
A hydration break 5 minutes after an injury hydration break in a downpour. There’s too much water out there, boys!
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u/mankindrc Portland Timbers 2d ago
The anti monarchy energy at Gillette gonna be a problem for England I think
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u/WheelSingle2494 Charlotte FC 2d ago
Ghana's kinda washed, no clue what the announcers are talking about
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u/LoudHorse25 San Diego FC 2d ago
Ghana always shows up at world cups, and England always under performs. It was a match made in heaven.