From Harry Kane's miss to the Ghanaian sorcerer: curiosities after Ghana-England 0-0 draw

Ghana's national football team achieved a notable 0-0 draw against England, significantly impacting their position in Group L of the World Cup. Beyond the scoreless tie, the match generated considerable discussion among fans and media, focusing on Ghana's strong defensive performance, a missed opportunity by England's Harry Kane, and the resurfacing of claims by a Ghanaian sorcerer.

Nana Kwaku Bonsam, known as "Devil of Wednesday," had previously stated he was performing rituals to prevent Harry Kane from performing well against Ghana. Bonsam gained international attention during the 2014 World Cup for similar claims against Cristiano Ronaldo. "I am working on Harry Kane. I have already shown what I am capable of, so I know exactly what I need to do to stop him. I don't wish him a serious injury, just enough for him not to shine against my country," Bonsam had declared.

The missed chance by Kane in the final minutes of the match, where his shot went over the crossbar, led to widespread social media reactions humorously or superstitiously linking the error to Bonsam's words. However, the result is largely attributed to Ghana's exceptionally solid defensive strategy, which effectively neutralized one of the tournament's favored teams. Opta statistics revealed that England dominated possession with 78.8% and took 19 shots, but only three were on target, marking the first World Cup 2026 match without a shot on goal in the first half.

Ghana's offensive output was minimal, but their tactical discipline and robust defense, anchored by goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, proved effective. Ghana is now among the four teams, alongside Argentina, Mexico, and Spain, that have yet to concede a goal in the 2026 World Cup. Jude Bellingham was recognized as the best player of the match.