Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford faced scrutiny regarding his response to Enzo Fernández’s equalizer against Argentina, with Jude Bellingham questioning his effort. Yet, the veteran keeper, who holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by an English player, made several key saves, notably a spectacular stop from Nicolas González during the semi-final. 7
Dean Henderson had to wait until the third-place playoff for his chance, ultimately conceding four goals despite demonstrating solid performance. He aims to challenge Pickford for the starting position over the next two years. 7
Defenders
Djed Spence emerged as an unexpected fan favorite, delivering passionate performances. His memorable moments include rejecting Thomas Partey’s handshake and making a vital tackle on Giuliano Simeone in the match against Argentina. 8
Marc Guéhi, initially overlooked by Thomas Tuchel, solidified his place after the Croatia match. He proved to be England’s most dependable defender, showing exceptional skill in neutralizing Erling Haaland. 8
John Stones struggled with match fitness early on, which was evident in the opening game against Croatia. However, he displayed significant improvement in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, proving to be a valuable asset. 7
Ezri Konsa experienced some shaky moments during the group stage but rebounded effectively, stepping in at right-back when necessary. At just 28, he remains young enough to compete in another World Cup four years from now. 7
Dan Burn’s limitations were evident in the match against Argentina, but his two impressive appearances off the bench against Mexico and Norway will be remembered. His powerful clearing headers often found their way into the opponent’s half. 7
Nico O’Reilly delivered his best performance against Norway in the quarter-final, showcasing his attacking flair. However, he will be disappointed not to have scored and to have been substituted during Argentina’s comeback in the semi-final. 6
Reece James, a talented player, unfortunately, spent most of the tournament sidelined due to a hamstring injury. His absence was felt when he left the match against Argentina. 6
Trevoh Chalobah was a surprising choice to fill in for the injured Tino Livramento but ended up playing only six minutes against France. 6
Jarell Quansah was brought in to address the right-back situation against Panama and performed well until a rushed decision against Mexico led to a red card. He was recalled for the France match but needed to be substituted. 5
Midfielders
Jude Bellingham displayed his exceptional talent when it mattered most, demonstrating unwavering commitment to his national team despite needing to navigate a complicated relationship with Tuchel. 9
Elliot Anderson remained focused amid his £116m transfer to Manchester City, growing in confidence as the tournament progressed. His relentless effort against Norway and Argentina showcased his potential. 8
Morgan Rogers took full advantage of his limited playing time, impressing in unfamiliar roles. He demonstrated his versatility by playing as one of the two central midfielders against Norway and later assisting Anthony Gordon from the right wing against Argentina. 8
Declan Rice struggled with hamstring and back issues that plagued the latter part of his Arsenal season, yet his effort remained commendable. A long rest is needed to recover, though time may not allow it. 6
Eberechi Eze could not achieve the impact he desired in four substitute appearances before starting against France. He performed adequately in central midfield against Panama, but had little influence while playing on the left in the quarter-final. 6
Jordan Henderson made a historic appearance against Panama, becoming the first England men’s player to participate in seven major international tournaments, despite only being on the pitch for 12 minutes. He received a booking against Mexico as a substitute and broke his arm while celebrating the victory. 5
Forwards
Bukayo Saka’s courageous effort yielded three goals and three assists while battling through an achilles injury. His absence from the bench against Argentina was surprising and highlighted what England missed against France. 8
Anthony Gordon had a subdued start but rebounded impressively after being dropped, contributing three assists and a goal against Argentina, which demonstrated why Barcelona was eager to sign him. 8
Harry Kane’s tournament will unfortunately be marked by a largely forgettable performance against Argentina rather than his potential heroics against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Questions remain about whether he will get another opportunity to win the World Cup. 8
Marcus Rashford began his third World Cup brightly by scoring as a substitute against Croatia, starting against Panama, but was largely absent until the late stages against Argentina. 6
Ivan Toney sat on the bench until the final moments of the semi-final and was unable to make an impact in his brief three-minute stint, although he performed well against France. 6
Ollie Watkins found himself on the sidelines for much of the tournament despite his previous heroics in the Euro 2024 semi-final. His appearances against France and Panama were limited and did not reflect his current form. 6
Noni Madueke showed glimpses of promise, but he struggled to deliver clinical finishing in his four starts and dropped down the selection order by the semi-final. 5
Did not play: James Trafford and Kobbie Mainoo
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