Ghana’s extraordinary record of never losing their second group game at the FIFA World Cup was preserved once more on Tuesday night, as the Black Stars held England to a goalless draw at Gillette Stadium in Boston to extend a remarkable streak that stretches back 20 years.
Since making their World Cup debut in 2006, Ghana have played five second group-stage matches and have not lost a single one — two wins and three draws from fixtures that have repeatedly pitted them against some of the world’s strongest sides.
The run began in Cologne in 2006 when Asamoah Gyan fired Ghana ahead after just 70 seconds against a Czech Republic side ranked second in the world at the time, with Sulley Muntari sealing a 2–0 win in the 82nd minute — Ghana’s first ever victory at the World Cup.
In Brazil in 2014, the Black Stars produced perhaps the most dramatic chapter of all, coming from behind to lead Germany — who went on to lift the trophy — before the two sides shared a breathtaking 2–2 draw.
The 2022 edition in Qatar was equally nervy. Mohammed Kudus thumped home his second goal to restore Ghana’s lead against South Korea after the Koreans had twice levelled, with the Black Stars holding on through a nerve-wracking ten minutes of added time to win 3–2.
Tuesday’s result against an England side that had scored four goals in their opening match was perhaps the sternest defensive test of the five. England finished the game with 79 per cent of possession — the highest recorded by any side that failed to score at the World Cup in 60 years — yet Ghana’s backline, marshalled brilliantly by Thomas Partey and protected by goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, held firm throughout.
The draw leaves Ghana on the brink of the knockout stage for the first time since 2010, and a point against Croatia in their final group game will almost certainly confirm their passage to the last 32.
The record, now spanning five tournaments across three continents, stands intact.
2006 — Czech Republic 0–2 Ghana (Cologne, Germany)
2010 — Ghana 1–1 Australia (Rustenburg, South Africa)
2014 — Germany 2–2 Ghana (Fortaleza, Brazil)
2022 — South Korea 2–3 Ghana (Doha, Qatar)
2026 — England 0–0 Ghana (Boston, USA)
