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The Three Lions were left frustrated after failing to breach a resolute Ghana defence in their group stage match on Tuesday night.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel said the team were unlucky not to claim victory over Ghana but admitted they lacked clinical finishing in front of goal. The encounter ended in a goalless draw, leaving the Three Lions to rue missed opportunities.

Throughout the first half, England struggled to register a single shot on target against the Black Stars’ disciplined low defensive block. However, they improved after the interval and created several chances, including a late effort from Harry Kane that went narrowly over the bar.

Speaking after the match, Tuchel expressed disappointment that England could not find a breakthrough, acknowledging that his players failed to make the most of their opportunities.

“We had half chances, created corners, free-kicks, but we were not as clinical or as determined with the set pieces,” Tuchel said. “That cost us a little bit.”

He added, “This will not be the first football match where one team struggles to break a block down. You need the first goal, perhaps a bit more determination, and shots from around the box.”

When asked if England lacked creativity, Tuchel disagreed, suggesting that the outcome would have been viewed differently had one of the late chances been converted.

“It is difficult,” he continued. “We tried with three players on the flanks, and then you need the switch of play. The conditions looked fine, but the grass was very long, which made passing tricky.”

Tuchel pointed out that his substitutions injected fresh energy and helped create more openings as Ghana began to tire. “The gaps opened up a bit more and gave us more half-chances, including the biggest one of the match with Nico O’Reilly and Harry (Kane),” he said.

He reflected, “It’s always like this when you look back. If we score that goal, everyone says, ‘They were patient, they didn’t concede, they kept their belief.’ But if you don’t score, people say it’s a lack of imagination. That’s football.”

Tuchel also noted that Ghana had been even more defensive than in their first game, adding, “If you don’t open the match with an early goal, it becomes tough. It’s hard to raise the intensity against such a deep block.”

On Kane’s late miss, Tuchel remarked, “If you want that chance to fall to anyone, it should be Harry. Normally, that’s a clear goal for us. It was a big chance.”