The World Cup 2026 qualifier against Ghana was a nail-biting encounter for England, as they fought tooth and nail but ultimately drew a blank. The result has left fans scratching their heads, wondering whether Thomas Tuchel's squad selection is on the right track or if he needs to think outside the box.
It was one of those moments that could've been the difference between triumph and heartbreak – Harry Kane's close-range rebound after Nico O’Reilly’s header rattled the crossbar, missing by a whisker. Tuchel reckons Kane would convert such chances 'ninety-nine times out of 100', highlighting just how fine the margins are for England to seal the win.
Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz injected some much-needed humour into the post-match analysis, quipping that VAR had 'gone for a coffee' after incidents involving Jordan Pickford and Ezri Konsa slipped under the radar. Though his comments were lighthearted, they hinted at some contentious moments in a game where England found it tough to breach Ghana's solid defence.
Tuchel's tactics have been put under the microscope, particularly his like-for-like replacements – swapping Marcus Rashford for Anthony Gordon or Bukayo Saka for Noni Madueke. Critics argue this approach makes England predictable when their initial plan doesn't yield results. Some have pointed out that leaving behind players with different skillsets, such as Phil Foden's creativity or Cole Palmer's flair, has limited the team's attacking options – despite their recent club form.
The decision to overlook a pure deep-lying playmaker like Adam Wharton in favour of Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo, and consistently snubbing inventive right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, have added fuel to the fire about England's creative depth. Tuchel remains adamant his team's attacking approach is on track, insisting 'we don't become predictable with wide wingers' – but some observations suggest their attacks lack central penetration and the ability to switch emphasis effectively.