England player ratings: Phil Foden returns to his best as Kobbie Mainoo shines again against Netherlands
England performed badly during the initial rounds and were very close to being eliminated in the Round of 16. However, they have managed to reach the Euro final for the second time in a row.
Gareth Southgate and his team continued their good form from the game against Switzerland last Saturday with their top performance of the tournament to defeat Netherlands. They will now face Spain in the final on Sunday.
It may not have been flawless, but it was definitely an improvement compared to previous performances. Is England hitting their stride at the perfect time?
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Jordan Pickford - 6 Saves
In the start of the game, Pickford had to retrieve the ball from his goal after Xavi Simons scored a goal. Some may say he could have done better, but it wasn't entirely his fault. A goalkeeper with longer arms might have been able to stop the shot. However, he did make an impressive save later on from Virgil van Dijk.
Kyle Walker Scores 6
When England had the ball, Walker was assigned to cover Bukayo Saka. He did his job well, but struggled to make accurate plays near the opposition's goal. The Manchester City player did make some important tackles using his speed, but he didn't seem as solid in defense as he used to be.
John Stones Scores 7 Goals
Stones was a strong leader for England's defense, making accurate passes almost 98% of the time. He was able to avoid making the same mistakes he did in the Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands in 2019. However, there was a moment when he went on a risky run near his own goal, which made some England fans anxious.
7 Things To Know About Marc Guehi
Guehi proved Gareth Southgate made the right choice by putting him back in the team. Just like Stones, he hardly made any mistakes with the ball and made a crucial tackle on Wout Weghorst towards the end of the match. It looks like Guehi will have a guaranteed spot in England's defense even after Euro 2024.
Bukayo Saka's Rating: 7
Saka has quickly adjusted to his position in Southgate's new lineup, doing well in his defensive responsibilities as the right wing-back. He also posed a threat to the Netherlands' defense in the first half when England was on the attack. However, similar to many of England's players, his performance dipped in the second half.
Kobbie Mainoo On 8
Mainoo's display was so impressive that it raises questions about why it wasn't until England's third match in Germany that Southgate decided to pair him with Declan Rice. The 19-year-old's great play nearly led to an assist for Phil Foden, and his defensive abilities were better than they had been throughout the tournament.
Declan Rice: Top Player
Rice has not shown his top performance in this competition and it did not get better against Netherlands. He was dispossessed by Simons, who scored a goal for the Dutch team, and struggled to keep up on England's left side. While he only made a few mistakes with his passes, the numbers do not fully capture his performance - he is not performing at his highest level.
Kieran Trippier Shines On The Field
Southgate substituted Trippier during half-time to spare him further embarrassment. The notable performances of England's players in the first half highlighted Trippier's difficulties even more. Despite playing in an unfamiliar position, it may be best to replace him with Luke Shaw for the next match.
Phil Foden: The 8th Wonder
Foden is now playing in his favorite position and it shows in his performance. He, Mainoo, and Saka dominated the game in the first half, with Foden showing his potential with a shot that was cleared off the line and another that hit the post. It's clear he is in good form right now.
Jude Bellingham - Rising Star
Once again, Bellingham proved to be a threat when advancing with the ball, but the switch to a 3-4-3 formation has prevented him and Foden from getting in each other's way. Similar to his teammates, he appeared to lose energy in the latter part of the game, leading to some mistakes in his ball control. Additionally, he struggled against Denzel Dumfries in aerial duels during set-piece situations for the Netherlands.
Harry Kane: 7 Goals
This may have been Kane's strongest showing in Euro 2024, but he still isn't at his peak. He took advantage of Dumfries' tackle to earn a questionable penalty and calmly scored to equalize after Simons' goal. However, in the second half he seemed sluggish, unable to control the ball and struggled to keep up with England's wingers as they sent crosses into the box. Watkins' decisive run past Netherlands' defense emphasized Kane's lack of agility.
Luke Shaw substituted Kieran Trippier and performed well, earning a rating of 7.
Shaw may not be as sharp as usual, but he's still doing a better job than Trippier as the left wing-back. As long as he's fit, he should definitely be in the starting lineup against Spain.
Cole Palmer, who came in as a substitute for Phil Foden, had a solid performance and received a rating of 7.
With just under 15 minutes left, Palmer managed to set up Watkins for the incredible winning goal. Despite coming on late, the Chelsea player could have been brought in earlier to replace Bellingham, Foden, and Saka who were getting tired. Palmer will definitely have an important part to play in the final match.
Substitute Ollie Watkins, who came in for Harry Kane, received a rating of 8.
Watkins had a historic moment that he and the fans of England will never forget - scoring a goal in the 90th minute to secure his country a spot in a big final game. His sprint past the defenders of the Netherlands, capped off with a brilliant shot, gave England exactly what they needed in the latter part of the match.
Conor Gallagher substituted Kobbie Mainoo but did not have any notable impact on the game.
Gallagher entered the game in the final moments, but managed to showcase his signature aggressive tackle before the match ended.
Ezri Konsa came onto the field to replace Bukayo Saka, but he did not have any significant impact on the game.
Konsa missed out on the opportunity to play in the game against Netherlands, as Guehi took his place and he only managed to come on towards the end of stoppage time.
Gareth Southgate: Successful Manager
Similar to his team, Southgate displayed his best performance of the season for England's most important game yet. The coach should be praised for realizing the necessity of changing formations and allowing his players to perform with such freedom on such a grand stage. Although he has faced plenty of criticism for his decisions during games, it is worth mentioning that two of Southgate's substitutions - Palmer and Watkins - worked together to secure the victory. However, England's midfield still lacks solidity and Southgate's continued reliance on Trippier should come to an end. Nevertheless, Southgate has guided his team to yet another final.
