England players are comforted in the stands by their partners after Ghana hold Three Lions to frustrating draw in the rain
England’s players took consolation last night with the WAGs they received after they managed to hold to a goalless draw against Ghana in their second World Cup match.
Harry Kane and his side struggled to land a decisive blow against their African rivals, who are ranked 65th in the world, and the skipper squandered a late chance to break the deadlock by blasting the ball over the crossbar.
Some of the 30,000 fans who braved the rain to support the Three Lions expressed disappointment at the “boring draw”, asking: “Do you know how much we spent?” They chanted slogans.
Among the crowd at Boston Stadium was Jordan Pickford’s wife, Megan, who gave the goalkeeper a consoling kiss in the stands as the final whistle blew.
While she matched her white mini dress with her poncho, she waved and blew kisses to the cameras with high morale before the match.
Bukayo Saka also sought comfort from his fiancee, 25-year-old Tolami Benson, who was wearing a special England outfit. The two were seen embracing in the family box at the end of the match.
Other WAGs in attendance included midfielder Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend Ashlyn Castro, 28, and defender John Stones’ wife Olivia, who plays for the Three Lions.
Ellie Watkins, wife of striker Ollie Watkins, also wore her England cap and was seen waving cheerfully at the camera.
While last night’s result was a huge disappointment for fans, England are still expected to advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup, as they are heavy favorites to beat Panama in their final group match on Saturday.
Jordan Pickford kisses wife Megan after last night’s England match
Other WAGs in attendance included midfielder Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend Ashlyn Castro, 28
Megan wore a white raincoat to match her all-white outfit during last night’s game against England.
Bukayo Saka is consoled by partner Tolani Benson after England’s disappointing draw against Ghana
With kick-off not due until 9pm, millions of people flocked to pubs across the country to watch the match.
Thousands of venues were allowed to extend their opening hours so fans could enjoy the match with a drink, and predictions suggested 25 million pints would be drawn.
Millions more watched the broadcast on BBC1 and cheered on Kane and his team from home.
Those on TV were expecting ratings to rise after England’s thrilling 4-2 victory in their World Cup opener against Croatia last week.
But while fans in England battled a heatwave, fans traveling to Boston had to wade through puddles and dodge torrential downpours ahead of the match.
After the searing heat and humidity of Dallas, where England began the campaign, the battle of Boston took place under typically British leaden skies.
Among those splashing around in the rain outside the 65,000-capacity stadium in Foxborough was James Reid, 35, from Guildford in Surrey, who said: ‘I can’t believe everyone in England is getting sunshine.
‘People in Boston say we bring them the British flair.’
Jordan Pickford was spotted watching the game at Boston Stadium last night with his wife Megan.
John Stones’ wife Olivia poses at the Three Lions summit before the match
While last night’s result was a huge disappointment for fans, England are still expected to advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Ellie Watkins, wife of striker Ollie Watkins, was waving to the camera while wearing an England jersey.
Jude Bellingham is seen with his father Mark after the game on Tuesday night
England fans dress up and pose for photos ahead of kick-off between England and Ghana
Winger Bukayo Saka’s fiancée, 25-year-old Tolami Benson, was also at the stadium last night.
Sir David Beckham in the stands at the FIFA World Cup match at Boston Stadium
David Beckham cheered on the team in a navy blue suit as he joined his best friend Dave Gardner to watch the game.
Beckham’s 21-year-old son Cruz and his 30-year-old girlfriend Jackie Apostel were also seen in the stands.
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US officials have faced criticism for increasing public transport prices, with train fares now $80 (£60) instead of the usual $20 (£15).
But fans in England copied Scottish fans by hiring a fleet of iconic yellow school buses and driving them to the stadium 35 miles from Boston city center and 20 miles from Providence.
At least a dozen buses and school buses transported fans to the field from Providence, with fans bargaining for $35 (£26) for the return trip.
They included retired British Army officer Lieutenant Colonel Nick Rowles, 68, and his wife Gail, 67, who were traveling with friends.
The couple estimate the trip cost over £10,000, but they managed to get cheaper seats as members of the UK Supporters Travel Club.
‘I doubt we’ll drink the Providence neat like the Scots do, maybe the young people will, but we’re happy to have a nice, quiet, relaxed evening,’ he said.
Paul Scott, 48, is spending £10,000 to watch all three of England’s group matches as a Christmas present from wife Claire.
He said: ‘He knows how much I want to come here.’
England football fans are seen at Luna Springs in Birmingham during the England-Ghana match
Harry Kane and his team struggled to deliver a decisive blow to their African rivals, who are ranked 65th in the world.
Fans watch a screening of the FIFA World Cup match between England and Ghana at BOXPARK Wembley
The couple run a builders’ merchant in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Mr Scott said: ‘I love America and the welcome here has been extraordinary.’
Elsewhere, a group of eight fans from Stoke-on-Trent paid £1,900 for two taxis to take them to Boston after their flight from Montreal was cancelled.
England fans booed Ghanaian Thomas Partey, an alleged rapist, before the whistle blew.
Partey, 33, who plays for Arsenal, will stand trial in London on seven rape and one sexual assault charges.
The midfielder, who was later transferred to Spain’s Villarreal team, denies the accusations.
TV footage cut to handshakes as Partey passed each England player. Defender Djed Spence appeared to refuse to shake hands with him.
England fans also booed hydration breaks in the rain.
England’s next match is against Panama on Saturday at the stadium in New Jersey, where the World Cup final will also be played on 19 July.
Half-English, half-Ghanaian fans welcome ‘best result’
By Sam Greenhill
A half-English, half-Ghanaian supporter said after the draw: ‘This was the best result.’
Joe Short, 48, watched his country’s match against each other at Boston Stadium with ‘mixed emotions’.
The retired management consultant’s nurse mother Senya came to the UK in the 1960s to work in the NHS and his father Jim is a retired radio engineer from Farnham, Surrey.
He said: ‘I was Facetiming my friends in England and texting my family in Ghana throughout the match.
‘They were rejoicing back home in Ghana; All the aunts and uncles were very happy with the result.’
Mr Short, who wore the Ghana jersey in the first half and the England strip team in the second half, said: ‘I felt happy to see them together.
Joe Short, 48, (pictured) watched the game at Boston Stadium with ‘mixed emotions’ as his two countries battled each other
‘I felt disappointed not to have managed to break England, but also proud of Ghana for managing to hold them off.’
When asked to choose a side he said: ‘I think I wanted England to win because they had the best chance. But everyone said I couldn’t lose. And there was a draw; this was the best result.
‘That was enough for Ghana to get the result they did, if they had done nothing else in this World Cup.’
Mr Short, who has lived in Australia for the past 15 years, was alone for the Boston game but will now travel to New York for England’s next game against Panama, accompanied by his wife Selina and children Isaac, 14, and Sadie, 12.
