Manchester United defender Harry Maguire believes England will not be “too downbeat” following their goalless draw against Ghana.
Thomas Tuchel’s side had opened their campaign with a thrilling 4-2 triumph over Croatia, but a frustrating stalemate in Boston on Tuesday saw their second group game end in a draw at a fourth straight major tournament.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar England beat Iran in their first match before being held to a goalless draw by the United States, but they then cemented their spot in the knockout stage with victory over Wales.
Maguire was part of the squad which reached the quarter-finals in 2022 and believes England’s focus will now quickly turn to Saturday’s clash against Panama, their final Group L game.
“I think they’ll look back at it and think, in the grand scheme of things, we drew our second game against the USA in the last World Cup,” Maguire told The Rest Is Football podcast.
Benjamin Asare #16 of Ghana makes a save during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Ghana at Boston Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)placeholder image
Benjamin Asare #16 of Ghana makes a save during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Ghana at Boston Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“We were disappointed, but we knew we were in control of the group, you go and play your third game, you win the game and everything’s forgotten about and you go on to the knockout.
“So I don’t think they’ll be too downbeat. I think a few lads will be disappointed, probably, with the individual performances.
“But as a group and a collective I’m sure tomorrow will be a new day and they’ll just look forward to Panama and getting the win.”
Former England defender Gary Neville believes Anthony Gordon is “under the most pressure” in the team.
The 25-year-old winger, who joined Barcelona from Newcastle ahead of the tournament, has started both games but struggled to make an impact.
“Anthony Gordon, he’s probably the one that’s under the most pressure now,” Neville told the Stick to Football podcast.
“We all thought he probably wouldn’t play (against Ghana), we thought maybe Marcus (Rashford) would come in or something like that, but he stayed on. I think he’s the one who’s going to find it a little bit difficult to keep his spot.”
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