Former referee Darren Cann – who officiated in the Premier League and Champions League during his career – has delivered a strong verdict on an incident in England’s goalless World Cup draw with Ghana that saw Ezri Konsa bring down an opponent in the penalty area. After the final whistle, much of the discussion centred on the Three Lions’ lacklustre attacking display.

It was a complete contrast to last week, when Harry Kane and his fellow forwards tore Croatia apart in a 4-2 opening victory. But for the fourth major tournament in a row, England failed to win their second match, quickly bringing the feel-good factor back down to earth. Kane had just three touches in the opposition box on Tuesday night, while England largely lost the midfield battle, with some fans singling out Jude Bellingham for criticism.

However, not enough attention was paid to the fact that Thomas Tuchel’s side may have been fortunate to escape with even a point. It was only after the match had concluded that analysts focussed on an incident late on in which Ghana could easily have been awarded a penalty, despite a VAR check not even being recommended at the time.

Former Referee Casts Verdict on Possible Ghana Penalty

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As Prince Kwabena Adu beared down on Dean Henderson’s goal, the Aston Villa defender appeared to jump, both footed, before lunging into a reckless challenge to stop him. Analysing the moment for the BBC, Cann said (watch the incident below):

He continued: “In this tournament, most of the time, they’ve gone with the on-field decision. In general, they’ll stick with the on-field decision unless it’s clearly, clearly wrong.”

England Brought Down To Earth By Ghana

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Heat may or may not have played its part in Boston this week. But regardless of the conditions, Tuesday night’s action will serve as a wake-up call to England in the fact that they still don’t look like a finished product early into this summer’s tournament.

While last week, questions were asked about the defence that leaked two goals with ease and ensured Croatia always had belief in the match, this week has shone light on Tuchel’s attacking options. It also suggested his options from the bench aren’t as strong as other nations, with none of them making a result-altering impact.

Next week, against rock bottom Panama, the mission will be to strike a perfect balance. They are heavy favourites to dispatch their Latin AMerican opponents with relative ease to finish top of Group L, but nothing should be taken for granted.

Lionel Messi may have become the highest-scoring player in World Cup history with his brace against Austria, but the Argentine picked up an unwanted statistic along the way.

Before putting Ralf Rangnick’s side to the sword in a 2-0 victory, and surpassing Miroslav Klose’s long-standing benchmark in the process, Messi proved he is human. After Lautaro Martinez was fouled inside the area, the 39-year-old was given the chance to open the scoring from 12 yards out.

But he stepped up and fired the ball harmlessly wide, leaving everyone in the stadium and watching from home stunned. Should everyone have been so shocked, though? After all, that failure from the spot meant Messi has missed three of his seven World Cup penalties.

Lionel Messi’s Penalty Struggles Explained

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Geir Jordet, The Athletic’s penalty expert, has explained why Messi was unsuccessful against Austria. He pointed out the delayed run-up from the Argentine, waiting for the goalkeeper to make a move.

Analysing the footage, Jordet explained that this technique, also adopted by players like Bruno Fernandes and Jorginho, causes the taker to ‘lose some precision’. The expert said:

“My guess is that when Messi, mid-kick, sees Schlager go in the same direction his shot is intended to go — and it’s too late to change it — he attempts to make sure it is placed as far over to the post as possible, and it goes wide.”

Another key reason why only Cristiano Ronaldo (36) has missed more spot-kicks than Messi (33) in the 21st century is the fact the latter doesn’t have a set technique. With players like Ronaldo or Harry Kane, for example, you know what to expect.

However, Messi often changes his technique. At the start of his career, Messi would shoot low after a short run-up. His tendency to shoot very quickly after the referee’s whistle goes against him, as research suggests this leads to lower conversion rates, perhaps through nervousness.

Messi ‘Angry’ After 33rd Penalty Miss of His Career

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Following the 33rd miss of his long career, Messi admitted he was less than happy with himself. Perhaps confirming that precision is reduced by the technique he used, the Barcelona icon claimed he ‘kicked it very badly’.

In his post-match interview, Messi told reporters: “Today there was a moment where I was very angry about the penalty because I missed it.

“I kicked it very badly, and well, luckily we were able to turn that situation around, take the lead and get the three points, which is what’s important.”

England fans have singled out an ‘overrated’ ace who ‘ghosted’ in the Three Lions’ leggy World Cup performance in a 0-0 draw with Ghana on Tuesday night. Just a week on from their convincing, free-flowing attacking display over old foes Croatia, and Thomas Tuchel’s side looked completely different.

Indeed, for much of the 90 minutes in Boston, they looked to play with the shackles on, with much of the action being stuck in midfield, being lost and won without any real sustained threat any further up the pitch. Whether the heat had played It’s part or not, onlookers were quick to take note of certain players that weren’t pulling their weight in the pursuit of ending a 60-year trophy drought.

Heading into the tournament, the harsh spotlight was on the omissions of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer. By the end of the second match, questions are once again being raised by those bold decisions made by their manager, with Jude Bellingham being a passive presence in the midfield battle.

England Player Labelled ‘Most Overhyped Player on Planet’ After Ghana Limp

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Among the first to come off in a host of changes made by his manager halfway through the second-half, it is Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham who has been singled out for criticism by England fans.

“Jude Bellingham is an overrated, hotheaded glory hunter. So many chances missed with his stupid double touch. Just strike the ball man. Get him off for the second half,” one X user said at halftime. Elsewhere, another added, pretty sensationally:

A third wrote: “Jude Bellingham faces a functioning midfield pivot of Partey and Sibo and, once again, ghosts,” as a fourth continued: “Bellingham has to be the most overrated, overhyped average player on this planet!”

Elsewhere, a fifth concluded: “Bellingham struts around the field with the arrogance of Cristiano Ronaldo and the ability of Joe Allen.”

England’s Chances of Topping Group L Take Big Hit

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For the fourth tournament in a row, England have drawn their second match, which immediately brings the mood from a positive opener down. More importantly, though, it means their chances of finishing the group stage top has now taken a big hit ahead of a crunch tie vs bottom-placed Panama.

But they can still feel confident of their chances given that Ghana must still get past Luka Modric and a Croatia side that has struck a perfect balance between old and new ahead of their trip to the USA, Canada and Mexico. Currently, England and Ghana are level on four points, with Tuchel’s side ahead by one goal difference.