Thomas Tuchel’s stilted side have stumbled to a 0-0 draw with well-drilled Ghana as England edged closer to the World Cup knockout phase in forgettable fashion.

Six days on from the thrilling 4-2 victory against Croatia in Texas, things fell flat in Foxborough on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) as the back-to-back European Championship runners-up failed to break down the Black Stars.

England were a far cry from the swashbuckling side that thrilled in their Group L opener, with Tuchel’s team unable to find a way through Carlos Queiroz’s organised outfit as Harry Kane missed their best chance late on.

Neither side so much as mustered a shot on target in a first half that began with widespread boos for Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, who is scheduled to stand trial next year on seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault that he denies.

Declan Rice collected England’s first booking of the World Cup as halftime approached for a challenge on Jerome Opoku.

The 57th minute brought the game’s first shot on target, with Noni Madueke’s blocked strike followed by an Anthony Gordon effort, but England continued to struggle.

Tuchel replaced Jude Bellingham and Elliot Anderson with Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze in a bid to change the course of the game, which Ghana hoped would swing their way in the 79th minute. A quick counter ended with Ezri Konsa clumsily denying Prince Kwabena Adu, who hit it onto teammate Antoine Semenyo in an offside position as England survived.

Not even England’s set-piece prowess could swing a late goal, although substitute Nico O’Reilly saw a header rattle the crossbar and Kane uncharacteristically skied the rebound as they pushed for a winner.

Both sides looks all but assured of a place in the round of 32 after this stalemate as Tuchel’s men turn their attention to Saturday’s group finale against Panama in New Jersey.