England's difficult second game afflicted them for a fourth successive tournament as Ghana frustrated Thomas Tuchel's side to a 0-0 draw in Boston to leave their hopes of topping Group L in the balance.
Just as in their second group fixture against Scotland in 2021, the USA in 2022 and Denmark in 2024, England struggled to impose themselves on the game, albeit against an opponent by far the most defensive of the four - and one more than happy to frustrate and earn a point which all-but secures their own progression to the last 32.
England, with four points secured from two games, have all but secured passage through but still have work to do to claim top spot in Group L.
England completed 190 passes more than their opponents in the opening 35 minutes, but it took until then to fashion their one and only clear chance of the first half when Declan Rice nodded over after Noni Madueke had isolated his full-back in a rare sign of intent.
The nation hoped for a repeat of Tuchel's inspirational half-time team-talk which galvanised his side six days earlier against Croatia, but it was more of the same after the break this time and it took another 11 minutes for Anthony Gordon to finally register England's first shot on target with a tame effort straight at Benjamin Asare.
Ghana's valuable point threatened to become three when substitute Prince Adu was played in behind and seemingly caught by a wayward Ezri Konsa slide, which inexplicably was waved away both by the on-field officials and VAR.
"England were in an attacking position but found themselves four on four," said Your Site' Micah Richards on BBC Sport. "They've got to sort it out - yes, they're chasing the game, but you still need that protection behind you.
"On another day, that could've been a penalty."
Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz was less diplomatic in his assessment, questioning whether VAR had been operational at the time of the incident. "It's another penalty they need to give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England," he said.
Harry Kane should have won it with three minutes to go when Nico O'Reilly's header crashed back off the crossbar but the England captain - surely the one player in world football anyone would have wanted the ball to fall to - skied the rebound over with the goal gaping.
"I was waiting for the ball to bounce and it did but I couldn't get over it," he told BBC Sport. "It is what it is. I've been a striker long enough to know they don't always go in."
The captain's glaring miss left the Three Lions, who had 80% of possession, with questions to answer about their lack of intensity, and facing a reality check after the jubilation of their second-half performance against Croatia - but with progression still in their own hands in Saturday's final group game with .
England head coach Thomas Tuchel on BBC Sport:
"Not frustrated. I saw it coming as I knew this would be a difficult game.
"Ghana are physical and so committed. Full credit to them. They were difficult to break down.
"You need to be patient but at the right moments be brave. We conceded only two dangerous chances.
"At the end of the halves we grew into it and found rhythm but, of course, fatigue crept in. I liked the attitude, but you need a bit of luck.
"We had enough shots and cross and a big chance with Harry Kane. It is what it is."
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz:
"Is VAR still working in the World Cup? We still have VAR? I have some doubts about that, because another penalty that they need to give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England.
"With our opportunity in the second half, I think at the end different profiles, but we deserve the draw. A draw was the fair result for both teams.
"We had our chances to the point that they're lucky. They're very lucky.
"Once again, VAR went for a coffee. It's natural, I would like to also take my coffees once in a while, but it was a clear penalty, red card."
Your Site' Paul Merson on Your Site News:
"It's back to reality. You can't score four in every game, but you'd expect to break them down in the end.
"They defended really well but we made it easier for them to do so.
"That's something for Tuchel to look at, but you're not winning the World Cup in the second game of the tournament.
"It's better to have those reality checks earlier in the tournament than later on.
"You've got to have movement. The only thing that beats a defence is movement.
"A run off the ball, a winger running across the line - but credit where it's due, Ghana defended amazingly.
"We've got to have more belief. But we didn't take enough chances, and I thought this team was picked to have no fear.
"Tonight you're looking at Palmer and Foden - and that shouldn't be the case."
Player of the match Jude Bellingham on BBC Sport:
"I didn't deserve it, to be honest. It should have gone to one of their lads who defended so well.
"I had a couple of moments, it was hard to get into the game and I'm grateful for whoever voted but it should've gone to one of their lads.
"Like always, it's second-game fever with England. Win the first one, do well and draw the second.
"It's okay though, they played for a draw that would've seen them go through and fair play to them."
England's automatic progression into the knockout stages has been delayed by their 0-0 draw with Ghana, but Thomas Tuchel's side are still on course to qualify as group winners.
The Three Lions will win the group if they better Ghana's result against Croatia when they take on already eliminated Panama.
Croatia and Ghana are likely going head-to-head for second in the group but could go above England if they fail to beat Panama. A draw will be enough for both teams to progress to the knockouts with Ghana as runners-up and Croatia as one of the best third-place sides.
Ghana should already have enough to qualify even with a defeat to Croatia, who could be eliminated with a heavy defeat to Ghana.
