‘I didn’t have the space’ — Kane explains blank against Ghana

England captain Harry Kane said Ghana's tight marking was the key reason he struggled to make an impact as England were held to a 0-0 draw in their second World Cup 2026 group game on Wednesday.

England failed to build on their opening victory over Croatia, with Ghana producing a disciplined defensive display to frustrate the Three Lions throughout.

Kane managed just three touches in the opposition box. Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz set his side up to defend deep and limit England's attacking threat.

The striker did have a late chance to win it, but could not convert after Nico O'Reilly's header struck the bar.

Kane played down the miss after the game. "You go through games like that. I was just waiting for an opportunity like that to fall my way. It was the kind of game as a striker where you're just waiting for the ball to bounce, and it did.

"I just couldn't quite get over the ball, but I'd back myself to score that more often than not. It is what it is. I've been a striker long enough to know they don't always go in, so I have to accept it."

Kane identified Ghana's marking scheme and defensive organisation as the primary reasons he could not impose himself.

"I was almost man-marked by [Thomas] Partey for a lot of the game. I didn't really have the space to drop deep and then arrive late in the box, and they also defended the box well," he said.

"We had plenty of crosses, but we just couldn't quite get the first contact. The balls through the middle were tough to play because it was so compact in there."

Kane said England improved as the game progressed and saw reason for optimism despite the draw.

"It was a game where I felt we got better as we went along, and once we started getting the wingers one-on-one, it looked dangerous," he said.

"You're playing in the World Cup against a decent side who are compact and can make it difficult, and that's what we came up against today."

England remain in contention in the group after taking four points from two games.