England lucky to avoid Jordan Pickford red card and late penalty in drab Ghana draw | OneFootball

England were fortunate to not lose goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to a red card as well as avoid conceding a penalty during their drab World Cup Group L draw with Ghana.

In a game that lacked forward inspiration for either team, Ghana looked to break on the counter in the 67th minute as substitute Prince Kwabena Adu surged towards the box, chasing a forward ball.

Pickford rushed out of his area in a bid to get there first but instead collided with Adu as there pair went in for a 50/50 challenge.

While both men had the right to challenge for the ball, it looked like Pickford had committed the foul, clattering into Adu after the Ghana midfielder made an attempt to touch the ball, which had by the point of contact ran just past Pickford.

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Jordan Pickford collided with Ghana’s Prince Kwabena Adu but escaped a red card (Getty)

But in a huge reprieve for England, referee Saíd Martínez of Honduras awarded the free-kick in favour of Pickford, who picked up a knock on the shin in the process.

Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz was furious at the decision, something Alan Shearer could more than sympathise with.

“I agree with him. I didn’t think that was an England free-kick at all, I think it could have been given the other way,” he said on BBC’s coverage of the match.

“He realises he’s in trouble does Jordan Pickford. He knows he’s not going to get to the ball.”

England then got away with one again shortly after.

With Adu sent in behind once more after Eberechi Eze was shoulder-barged off the ball, Ezri Konsa made a last-ditch lunging challenge to thwart the Viktoria Plzen player but got none of the ball, wrapping his leg around and making contact with Adu’s knee, who then went down.

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Ezri Konsa was lucky not to concede a penalty for a lunging challenge on Adu (Reuters)

After a scramble to clear the ball ended in the offside flag going up, there was no sign of a VAR check taking place to review the incident and play resumed shortly after with an England free-kick.

BBC’s referee analyst Darren Cann asserted that the challenge should have been referred to VAR to award a spot-kick.

“ We had our hearts in our mouths when we saw Anthony Konsa made that challenge,” Cann said. “First and foremost, as an England fan, I'm absolutely delighted that it wasn't given, but I have to be honest. For me, this should have been referred to the [video assistant] referee.

“Konsa makes no contact at all with the ball. He brings down his opponent. He's airborne, he's out of control, he makes contact with the attacker and no contact with the ball. For me, this is a penalty kick.

“We've had seven penalties in this World Cup so far. I'm very glad that wasn't an eighth.

Cann added that referees have often stuck with the on-field decision during this tournament so far, unless that decision is “clearly, clearly wrong”.

England were unable to capitalise on these let-offs by finding a late winner, with the best chance falling to Harry Kane after Nico O’Reilly’s header hit the bar, the England captaining skying the rebound from close range.

The contest ended in a goalless draw, meaning England have not yet confirmed their place in the knockouts heading into their final Group L against Panama on Saturday 27 July.