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## VAR Controversy Steals the Show as Three Lions Miss Chance to Secure Knockout Spot
Thomas Tuchel’s England side are still waiting to punch their ticket to the World Cup 2026 knockout rounds after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts — a match that saw two major VAR controversies spark outrage from the Ghanaian camp.
### What Happened?
On a night when England needed a win to guarantee progression, the Three Lions produced a flat performance against a disciplined Ghana side. But the real talking points came from two refereeing decisions — or rather, the lack thereof.
**Incident 1 (66th minute):** England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford collided with Ghana’s Prince Adu outside the penalty area. Many observers expected at least a yellow card, if not a red, for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
**Incident 2 (78th minute):** Ezri Konsa brought down Prince Adu inside the box, clearly making contact with the player without getting the ball. It looked like a textbook penalty.
Neither incident resulted in a VAR review, and Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz didn’t hold back in his post-match comments:
> “I’m not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup. We still have VAR? It’s working? I have some doubts about that. It’s a clear penalty and a red card. They’re very lucky.”
### Where It Leaves Both Teams
| Team | Pts | GD | Position |
|——|—–|—-|———-|
| England | 4 | +1 | T-1st |
| Ghana | 4 | 0 | T-1st |
| Croatia | 3 | 0 | 3rd |
| Panama | 0 | -2 | Eliminated |
England and Ghana are level on 4 points at the top of Group L. Croatia sit third with 3 points after beating Panama 1-0, which eliminated the Central Americans.
England now faces a winner-takes-all showdown against Panama in New York on **Saturday, June 27**, while Ghana takes on Croatia. The Three Lions need just a draw to advance, but with goal difference tight, Tuchel will be pushing for a convincing win.
### What’s Next?
England’s final group match against already-eliminated Panama looks favorable on paper, but Tuchel faces a selection headache. Declan Rice picked up a yellow card against Ghana and risks suspension for the Round of 32 if he’s booked again — so he might be rested against Panama.
Meanwhile, **Jude Bellingham** had a quiet game by his standards (rated 5/10 by pundits), and Tuchel may shuffle the attack, potentially bringing **Bukayo Saka** back into the starting lineup after his return from injury.
### FAQ
**Q: Did England qualify for the knockout stage?**
A: Not yet. England is tied with Ghana on 4 points in Group L. A draw against Panama on Saturday would be enough to advance.
**Q: Was the penalty against England controversial?**
A: Yes. Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz strongly criticized VAR for not reviewing Ezri Konsa’s challenge on Prince Adu inside the box, calling it a “clear penalty.”
**Q: Who scored for England against Ghana?**
A: Nobody. The match ended 0-0 — England’s second clean sheet of the tournament but a frustrating night going forward.
**Q: When is England’s next match?**
A: England faces Panama on Saturday, June 27, at MetLife Stadium in New York.
### Upcoming World Cup 2026 Matches — June 24
| Match | Group | Time (ET) |
|——-|——-|———–|
| Switzerland vs Canada | B | 8:00 PM |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Qatar | B | 8:00 PM |
| Scotland vs Brazil | C | 8:00 PM |
| Morocco vs Haiti | C | 8:00 PM |
| Mexico vs Czech Republic | A | 10:00 PM |
| South Africa vs South Korea | A | 10:00 PM |
### Final Verdict
England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana was a tale of missed chances and controversial officiating. While VAR’s no-show frustrated Ghana, England will feel they should have done more against a well-organized opponent. The good news? A date with already-eliminated Panama on Saturday means England’s World Cup journey is far from over. Expect a much stronger performance from Tuchel’s men in New York.
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