England have played their final World Cup warm-up game. Next comes the real thing. So, who has nailed down their spot? Who has played themselves into contention? And who has damaged their chances of being in Thomas Tuchel’s starting selection against Croatia?
In changeable conditions that meant the game was delayed by an hour, England were certainly improved. A 3-0 win, with goals from Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and latterly Ollie Watkins, was perhaps a conservative reflection of their dominance.
What does it all mean for their tournament opener on June 17?
Thomas Tuchel has overseen his final friendly before England’s World Cup campaign kicks off next week
Jordan Pickford: 6
The only way Pickford gets dislodged from this England side is if he gets injured. He’s arguably England’s most vital player behind Harry Kane. He’s been first-choice goalkeeper since his first World Cup appearance in 2018, under Gareth Southgate, and is now a part of the leadership team. This was a spectator job, but still a test of concentration.
Reece James: 6
Played more of a conventional right-back role and looked classy. His distribution was clever and varied. He combined with Noni Madueke with passes from deep, through the lines, in behind. There are rarely doubts over his technical ability, only his capacity to stay fit, but on the evidence here, he is in decent shape and should be assured of a starting spot against Croatia.
Ezri Konsa: 7
Completed 100 per cent of his passes in the first half, delivering three into the final third. It’s difficult to imagine him starting over Marc Guehi but he has earned the trust of Tuchel, who favours his reliability. He started 34 of Aston Villa’s 38 Premier League games this season, that alone makes him a dependable option if England need to rotate at any point. Dangerous from a set-piece, too.
John Stones: 7
Needed minutes, and proved he can play as the left-sided centre-back. He doesn’t do it often for Man City but it has been known. His calmness is a huge asset, a defender who will step out of the backline and can carry the ball with confidence. Thomas Tuchel likes his intelligence, a proper ball-player, and he’s a reassuring presence in a unit that contains limited major tournament experience.
Thomas Tuchel values John Stones’ intelligence and experience
Nico O’Reilly: 7
O’Reilly is elite. No doubt. He brings legs, combining excellently with Anthony Gordon. If he can transfer his club form to his England displays he will be a real resource in a summer of testing conditions. He’s able to rotate strategically, too, moving up the pitch to help with midfield overloads but knows when to be disciplined. Nailed on to start at left-back.
Elliot Anderson: 8
A monster at recovering possession, then uses the ball simply but effectively. No wonder Man City are chasing him for a fee that will no doubt surpass £100m. This kid has a bright future. His partnership with Rice is growing by the game. And he’s always available to receive, something his peers must love.
Declan Rice: 8
If Rice is managing injury issues and fatigue, it barely showed. His intensity level knows no bounds. Forget soaring temperatures and high humidity, this guy would run through deserts for England. His seventh international goal is another good omen for Tuchel, with late arrivals into the box so difficult to track. He created the most chances of any player, too (three).
Declan Rice celebrates scoring for England against Costa Rica
Noni Madueke: 6
Plenty of fancy footwork, but where is the finish? Madueke’s end product continues to let him down. He struck the post in the first half when it looked easier to score after doing the hard bit by rounding the goalkeeper. Clearly, if Bukayo Saka is fit, Madueke sits on the bench. Not sure he did enough to persuade public opinion otherwise, albeit his directness is handy.
Noni Madueke missed an open goal in the first half
Jude Bellingham: 7
Tuchel has tasked his team with finding better rhythm. More fluidity. Bellingham has to come to the fore for that to be possible. He was quiet in a first half where England were profiting from wide, but rarely in central areas. The second period got better when he moved to a false nine and was able to exploit the space. Tuchel must work out a formula that puts him at the heart of things, rather than operating as a loner, though. His star quality probably means he starts against Croatia.
Anthony Gordon: 9
Pace. A performance packed with energy and endeavour, linking with Kane well and providing the assist for Rice’s opener before scoring himself from the penalty spot. There has been clamour for Marcus Rashford to be England’s starting left winger – with sound reason – but Gordon might just have won himself the shirt. His courage 1v1 can help England be more invasive. He spoke afterwards about “loving the pressure” that comes with playing in big matches.
Anthony Gordon scored an emphatic penalty
Harry Kane: 7
The quarterback. He remains England’s most influential player even when not scoring goals. The way he brings others into play is so valuable. His support cast need to find ways to continue to service him, especially given his career-best scoring form in the run-up to this tournament. The England captain has finally assumed his place at the pinnacle of the game; hopefully he gets the opportunity to show it this summer.
The subs
Eberechi Eze was the standout among the cohort of players introduced in the second half. The Arsenal forward won the penalty for Gordon to convert, and played a deliciously cutting pass for Morgan Rogers to finish thereafter. A shame Rogers was intent on rivalling Madueke’s miss from the first half.
Saka was lively, and Djed Spence also did his work diligently. Rashford showed his ability to manoeuvre in tight spaces inside the box before Ollie Watkins proved his impeccable timing – a proper poacher.
What’s next?
The World Cup officially begins! Mexico vs South Africa is the tournament opener on Thursday 11 June; kick-off 8pm UK time.
England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia, with their opening Group L clash kicking off at 9pm in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday June 17.
