England fans were left frustrated at a goalless draw as Thomas Tuchel’s team struggled to break through Ghana’s defence amid more hydration break controversy.
England fans flocked to watch parties in Wembley, Manchester, Nottingham and Newcastle ahead of the match at the Gillette Stadium in Boston on Tuesday evening.
The heat didn’t keep fans away after temperatures reached 34.6C in the UK earlier in the day.
Many donned England shirts and some were seen with handheld fans, while others wore hats to stay cool.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was heavily booed by England fans and Djed Spence appeared to snub a handshake with the Ghana international ahead of the clash in Boston.
Videos on social media looked to show the Tottenham defender refusing to put his hand out to the 33-year-old after the national anthems were sung.
Partey returned to the Black Stars’ starting XI after missing last Wednesday’s game with Panama in Toronto. He was denied entry to Canada, having been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in London between 2020 and 2022.
Partey told officials in the host country that he had never been arrested or charged with a crime. He denies all charges and is set to stand trial next summer.
The first half saw stoppage time for an injury and instead of that being used for the hydration break, it was held in the 26th minute in line with other games.
England supporters were very vocal and loudly booing the mid-half drinks breaks.
Fifa told the Press Association that hydration breaks are implemented “involving all teams in every match, so matches are played under the same conditions”, adding: “We want to ensure equal conditions for everyone, and that’s why these breaks are implemented in every match.”
England failed to break down Ghana’s defence despite some late chances and ended with a 0-0 draw.
It comes after England began their quest for global glory in memorable fashion by beating Croatia, then ranked 11th in the world, 4-2 in a Dallas thriller last Wednesday.
England fans with red and white clothing, face paint and hair dye braved the rain in Boston ahead of the game.
A father and his two children, who were dressed as three lions, have already spent £30,000 on their World Cup tournament journey and said they felt like “something special” was happening with the current team.
Glenn Hawkins, 61, from Cholsey in Oxfordshire, was with his son, Howard, 31, and 28-year-old daughter Eve.
Asked before the match if it was the most optimistic he felt during a major tournament, Glenn Hawkins said: “I would say so, yeah. They’re under a good manager – good players, good system, good manager.”
Howard added: “The first game really got it going – it went back home, big. There’s something special happening for sure.”
The family, who have been to every major tournament with England since the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, have already spent £30,000 on their latest tournament journey.
Mr Hawkins said: “We started off in Mexico City for the opening match, then we went to Monterrey for Tunisia against Sweden, then to Dallas for the England game, then to Philadelphia for Haiti against Brazil, then we’ve come here.”
Eve added: “And hopefully a lot more to go.”
Howard said: “We’re following until they go out, which is the final when they win it.”
Asked how much the tournament had cost so far, Mr Hawkins said: “Don’t, because the wife’s watching. I paid for three, and I’m already £30,000 deep.”
Meanwhile, Andy Chard, who is in his 60s and originally from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, had the St George’s cross painted across his face, alongside 39-year-old Tim Chard.
The pair said they paid 600 dollars (£453) for tickets to the game at the Gillette Stadium.
Andy said: “We bought them on the Fifa site, we didn’t want to take a chance.”
Speaking on England’s chances for the tournament, Andy said: “I think they have a good team, I like the manager.
“I’m not so sure about the defence, though. I think they’re a bit dodgy every now and then – but we’ve got enough firepower to overcome that.
“They’re just more purposeful and want to go forward rather than just passing the ball around and more focused.”
