Subscribe
Demo

England finished the World Cup by beating France 6-4 in an extraordinary third-place play-off.

BBC Sport England reporter Alex Howell rates how the players did throughout the tournament.

Goalkeepers

Jordan Pickford: The Everton goalkeeper is undoubtedly England’s number one and has proven he can deal with being on the big stage. However, this was not Pickford’s best tournament and he produced some erratic moments. His best performance came in the semi-final loss to Argentina, but he will question himself over Enzo Fernandez’s goal. 6

Dean Henderson: England’s second-choice goalkeeper came to the tournament in form. Henderson started the bronze-medal match against France, producing an excellent save to deny Kylian Mbappe but conceding four goals. 6

James Trafford: Came to the tournament as third choice and did not feature but travelling to a World Cup is good experience. N/A

Defenders

Ezri Konsa: The Aston Villa defender featured in every game and continued to show he has the quality for international football. A starting centre-back and also played at right-back in the win over Norway in the quarter-finals. He ended the tournament with a goal in the third-place play-off. 7

John Stones: It was considered a gamble by Thomas Tuchel to take Stones considering his fitness issues. He started the first game, had some shaky moments and dropped out for the next couple. But he regrouped and started the quarter-final win over Norway and semi-final defeat by Argentina. The 32-year-old showed his quality but was caught under the ball for Lautaro Martinez’s winner. 7

Marc Guehi: A staple of the England backline at major tournaments. Guehi did not start the opening game against Croatia but when he came in he showed his usual calmness and quality. Guehi put in an excellent performance against Manchester City team-mate Erling Haaland in the quarter-final against Norway and performed well until England went out. 8

Trevoh Chalobah: The Chelsea defender was called up as a replacement for Tino Livramento. It was a decision that prompted a lot of debate as it was felt it left England short in the full-back areas. Chalobah was brought on in the closing stages of the win over France for his only minutes of the tournament. 5

Jarell Quansah: This was Quansah’s first major tournament and he was arguably a surprise pick in the 26-man squad. But the Bayer Leverkusen defender did show why Tuchel was so keen to have him as a full-back option. Quansah started well against Panama before getting injured, then did likewise against Mexico before he was sent off. He returned for the third-place play-off, and has a bright international future. 6

Dan Burn: The Newcastle defender’s inclusion was the subject of much debate but his performance against Mexico underlined the reasoning. Burn’s aerial prowess gave England a way to see out games, though Tuchel turned to that tactic too early when trying to see out a win against Argentina. 6.5

Nico O’Reilly: This was the 21-year-old’s first tournament and he grew into it after a nervy opening match. O’Reilly only became England’s first-choice left-back in November, and to go from that to a World Cup and start five of the eight matches is very impressive. O’Reilly is very good on the ball but could improve defensively. 6.5

Reece James: The Chelsea captain said it was “boring” when people discussed his fitness, but the first-choice right-back missed three games after sustaining a hamstring injury against Ghana. He recovered to play in the quarter-final and semi-final, and showed his quality. 6.5

Djed Spence: The Tottenham full-back was one of England’s breakout players of the tournament. Spence’s ability to play at both left-back and right-back is extremely valuable in tournament football. He is a very good one-v-one defender and his pace gives an outlet to the team. He produced two of his best performances in the quarter-final and semi-final. Spence also played well against France, winning a penalty. 8

Midfielders

Declan Rice: The Arsenal midfielder had to battle with his fitness throughout the tournament. He put his body on the line while nursing a hamstring problem and started the quarter-final after illness. He imposed himself on games physically but this was perhaps not his best tournament in possession. Rice captained the side in the third-place play-off, scoring and providing an assist. 7.5

Jude Bellingham: England’s talisman. Bellingham went to another level during this World Cup and showed how important he is and will be in the future. He has superstar quality with the mentality to match. He scored seven goals – the last an excellent individual effort against France – and now holds the record for the most goals by an Englishman at a World Cup. 9

Jordan Henderson: The Brentford midfielder became the first Englishman to feature at four World Cups, but his tournament ended in bizarre fashion. Henderson fell over an advertising hoarding and broke his arm after the win over Mexico. He stayed with the group after surgery but was never a viable option after that. 4

Elliot Anderson: It was a big ask for Anderson to be the starting number six for England. He did it well, starting every game apart from the third-place play-off. His best game in possession was against Argentina, but if England are to get over the line in a major tournament they will need him to be more of a controller. 7

Kobbie Mainoo: The only outfield player to not get any minutes, with the Football Association saying he missed the third-place play-off with an injury. N/A

Attackers

Bukayo Saka: The Arsenal winger came into the tournament nursing an Achilles issue and admitted it would be a “gamble” for him. He showed his quality in flashes but wasn’t able to show his top level consistently, though did score a hat-trick in the third-place play-off against France. 7.5

Morgan Rogers: Was the focus of much attention coming into the tournament and played in every position behind the striker. He played a big part in both the quarter-final and semi-final, when his assist for Anthony Gordon had England fans dreaming. Rogers has quality and his physicality is a real asset. 7.5

Anthony Gordon: The Barcelona winger admitted he had a slow start to the tournament but grew into it to have some massive moments. He followed two assists in the win over DR Congo by earning the penalty for what proved to be the winner in Mexico, then produced an assist for the equaliser against Norway and scored the opener against Argentina in the semi-final. Gordon can be pleased with his impact. 8

Eberechi Eze: It was a quiet tournament for Eze but he still offers something different off the bench. He came on as a half-time substitute against Norway but things didn’t work out. He was given a start in the third-place play-off and performed well in midfield, setting up Saka for England’s fourth. 6.5

Ollie Watkins: The Aston Villa striker was only given six minutes against Panama before being brought on at half-time against France. It could be argued his ability to run in behind the defence should have been used against Argentina. 5

Noni Madueke: His call-up was one that prompted most discussion but his unique skillset means he is an asset. His constant direct running and dribbling mean he is highly valued by Tuchel. Madueke won the penalty in opening match with Croatia for England’s first goal of the tournament. 6

Ivan Toney: The Al Ahli striker was a surprise inclusion in the squad, clearly brought for his penalty-taking ability. Toney was thrown on in the dying moments as England chased an equaliser against Argentina, then started the third-placed play-off. 6

Marcus Rashford: A mixed tournament for Rashford, who scored in England’s opening game off the bench. He was substituted during the match with DR Congo, then used for one minute as England tried to salvage the match against Argentina. He produced some bright moments against France – and an assist for Saka. 6.5

Harry Kane: Another tournament in which the England captain delivered goals. His six before the quarter-final had England fans dreaming it could be their year. Kane also provided an assist for Bellingham in the win over Mexico, but that match and the Norway game going to extra time seemed to take a lot out of him and he was not at his best against Argentina. 8.5

Read the full article here

Leave A Reply

2026 © Prices.com LLC. All Rights Reserved.