The World Cup’s first half between England and Ghana was not just dull. It was historically dull. German broadcaster ARD’s commentator Tom Bartels called it the “most boring first half of this World Cup,” and the stats people over at Opta are backing him up with cold, hard numbers.
After 45 minutes, the scoreboard showed a 0-0 tie. That’s not the worst part. According to Opta, there wasn’t a single shot on target from either side. Zero. Zilch. You had to sit through the whole half and not even see a goalie make a routine save. Not one.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, working the halftime analysis for ARD, did not mince words. “I’m very disappointed with the English,” he said. Fans online were just as blunt. Social media lit up with complaints about Harry Kane’s invisibility. The England striker, usually the focal point of the attack, touched the ball just five times before the break. That is not a typo. Five touches.
For context, that’s fewer touches than some goalkeepers manage with their feet in a half of possession-based soccer. Kane wasn’t getting service, wasn’t dropping deep, wasn’t doing much of anything. It left England fans wondering if they’d accidentally tuned into a replay of a mid-season friendly instead of a World Cup match.
Ghana deserves some credit for the defensive structure, sure. But this wasn’t a tactical chess match. It was a staring contest. Two teams that looked content to not lose rather than eager to win. The lack of urgency was glaring, especially from an England side that’s supposed to have serious tournament ambitions.
The second half can only get better, right? That’s the hope from everyone still awake. If it doesn’t, some viewers might find themselves nodding off before the final whistle. The tournament has delivered drama elsewhere. This game just hasn’t been part of it yet.
OneFootball originally reported on the German broadcast’s comments, and the Opta data backs up what anyone with eyes already knew. It was a rough watch.
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