Declan Rice praises Ghana’s defensive wall after England fail to break Black Stars
England midfielder Declan Rice has acknowledged Ghana’s defensive strength after the Black Stars frustrated the Three Lions in a goalless Group L World Cup stalemate, describing Otto Addo’s side as compact and difficult to break down.
By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News, Canada | June 24, 2026
Following England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Rice admitted that the Black Stars’ structure and discipline made life difficult for his side, who controlled possession for long stretches but failed to convert that dominance into goals.
Ghana’s performance earned admiration not only from their supporters but also from the opposition camp, with Rice highlighting the organisation and resilience of the Black Stars after the final whistle.
“It’s always difficult when you play against eleven behind the ball,” Rice told the BBC.
“Give credit to Ghana, they were very compact. It was tough. They are good players.
“We keep going, we still have a great chance of finishing top of the group. There’s no need to be negative, we need to stay positive.”
Rice’s remarks came after England struggled to find a breakthrough against a Ghanaian side that defended with discipline throughout the game. The Black Stars, who had already kept Panama scoreless in their opening fixture, recorded a second straight clean sheet to remain firmly in the hunt for qualification.
The result leaves England and Ghana level on four points in Group L, with England ahead on goal difference. Ghana now turn their attention to a decisive final group encounter against Croatia, with qualification to the Round of 32 still very much within reach.
Commentary | Boakye Stephen
Rice’s comments amount to more than routine post-match politeness. They reflect the reality of what Ghana did to England: disrupt rhythm, compress space and force a side packed with attacking talent into low-efficiency football. For Ghana, praise from a player of Rice’s stature is a form of validation, but it also reinforces the identity this team is carving out at the tournament, a side that may not dominate games, but can make life deeply uncomfortable for elite opposition.
That said, Ghana must be careful not to become overly reactive. Defensive solidity is a major asset, but the next step is balancing that discipline with more ambition in possession, especially against Croatia, where a draw may not be enough depending on results elsewhere.
