Wayne Rooney believes England missed Phil Foden and Cole Palmer in their 0-0 draw with Ghana on Tuesday night.
What happened?
The match saw England dominate possession with nearly 79% but fail to break the deadlock despite taking 19 shots to Ghana's two.
Why it matters for Wayne Rooney
Rooney thinks players like Foden and Palmer are essential in games where the opposition defends deeply, as they can pick the lock in tight areas.
What comes next?
England will look to bounce back in their next group game against Panama, with Declan Rice acknowledging the difficulty of finding openings against Ghana's compact defense.
Wayne Rooney's comments came after England's scintillating 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opener.
The Manchester United legend emphasized the need for clever players in tight areas to break down low blocks.
On Tuesday night, England's momentum took a hit as they struggled to find a breakthrough against Ghana's disciplined defense.
Thomas Tuchel's side had several close calls in the final few minutes, with Bukayo Saka, Nico O'Reilly, and Harry Kane all coming close to scoring.
Rooney singled out Declan Rice as not quite having the tools to crack open Ghana's defense.
Rice spoke about the difficulty of finding openings against a team that defends deeply, but remained positive about England's chances of topping the group.
The England squad will look to learn from their experience against Ghana and improve their performance in their next game.
Wayne Rooney's insights highlight the importance of having the right players to break down stubborn defenses.
England's goalless draw with Ghana on Tuesday night was a stark contrast to their 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opener.
The team will need to regroup and refocus ahead of their next game against Panama.
The match against Ghana saw England dominate possession but struggle to create clear scoring opportunities.
Wayne Rooney's comments emphasize the need for clever players who can operate effectively in tight areas.