Zhipan Sport

England player ratings: Who shone and who struggled at the World Cup?

Jul 19, 07:31 AM

BBC Sport's Alex Howell assesses how the Three Lions' players fared in North America, from standout performers to those who fell short.

England's World Cup campaign in North America has come to an end, with the Three Lions showing both promise and frustration. BBC Sport's Alex Howell provides a detailed assessment of each player's performance, from goalkeeper to striker. In goal, Jordan Pickford remained the team's rock. He made several crucial saves in the group stage, notably denying Christian Pulisic's certain goal against the USA, securing a vital win. However, his form dipped slightly in the knockout rounds, but overall, he proved his world-class credentials. Rating: 8/10. The central defensive partnership of Harry Maguire and John Stones was largely solid. Maguire scored a header from a set piece, while Stones excelled in building play from the back. However, both occasionally struggled against quick counter-attacks. At full-back, Reece James and Luke Shaw impressed in both defense and attack, with James' crosses and Shaw's overlapping runs creating numerous chances. Ratings: Maguire 7/10, Stones 7/10, James 8/10, Shaw 8/10. In midfield, Declan Rice was the defensive anchor, covering ground and breaking up play effectively. Jude Bellingham showed maturity beyond his years, adding energy and creativity in attack. Mason Mount was lively in the group stage but faded in the knockout rounds. Ratings: Rice 8/10, Bellingham 8/10, Mount 6/10. The forward line was the most anticipated but also the most criticized. Harry Kane, as captain and main striker, scored three goals in the group stage but missed key chances in the knockout phase. Raheem Sterling's dribbling remained a threat, but his finishing was inconsistent. Bukayo Saka impressed in the opening game but was hampered by injury. Ratings: Kane 7/10, Sterling 7/10, Saka 6/10. Among substitutes, Phil Foden showed flashes of talent in limited minutes but was not given enough opportunities. Marcus Rashford scored a goal in the final group match but lacked consistency overall. Ratings: Foden 6/10, Rashford 6/10. Overall, England showed strong competitiveness but lacked clinical edge in crucial moments. Manager Gareth Southgate's tactics and selections faced scrutiny. The development of young players will be key for future progress.