England Escape Penalty Scare in Goalless Draw Against Ghana

England supporters were left frustrated as Thomas Tuchel’s side were held to a goalless draw against Ghana, but the hosts may have been fortunate to avoid a late penalty decision.

The controversial incident occurred in the closing stages when Prince Adu drove into the penalty area before Ezri Konsa intervened, appearing to bring down the midfielder. The referee waved away appeals, much to the relief of England fans, though replays indicated Konsa had caught Adu on the knee without making contact with the ball.

BBC pundits were largely in agreement that Konsa and England had escaped punishment. “I think that’s a penalty,” former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney said. “Konsa takes a huge risk. His feet are off the floor when he comes flying in and he gets the man, not the ball. That could easily have been given in my view.”

Fellow former England international and ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards added: “England were chasing the game, they were trying to score the goal but you still need that protection behind you. On another day, that could have been a penalty.”

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