World Cup 2026: Jude Bellingham says Ghana player deserved Man of the Match award after England draw

England midfielder Jude Bellingham has admitted he did not deserve the Player of the Match award following England’s goalless draw against Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Real Madrid star was officially named the standout performer after another influential display in midfield, but he insisted one of Ghana’s players should have received the honour instead.

“I didn’t deserve it. It probably should have gone to one of their lads,” Bellingham said after the match.

Ghana frustrate England in Group L clash

Ghana produced a disciplined and organised defensive performance to hold England to a 0-0 draw in their second Group L fixture.

The Black Stars remained compact throughout the contest and successfully frustrated England’s attacking players despite long periods of pressure from the Three Lions.

Benjamin Asare shines again for Ghana

Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare was one of Ghana’s standout performers, producing six important saves to secure his second consecutive clean sheet of the tournament.

His performance proved crucial as Ghana earned a valuable point that moved them closer to qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time since 2010.

Fans praise Bellingham’s humility

Bellingham’s comments after the game quickly drew praise from supporters on social media, with many commending the England midfielder for recognising Ghana’s defensive effort and showing sportsmanship after the final whistle.

For Ghana, the acknowledgement from one of England’s biggest stars further underlined the quality of their performance and the growing respect they are earning during the tournament.