Before England‘s final group game against Czech Republic, Jack Grealish admitted his worst trait was “stubbornness”.
Whether out wide or through the centre, the playmaker admitted he is not always keen to drift out of his designated position. Why? Because that means the defenders have “won”.
Having acknowledged that weakness in his ITV interview, perhaps it was at the forefront of his mind as he raided down the left, beat two defenders and lifted a perfectly weighted ball onto the head of Raheem Sterling.
It may have taken the enforced omission of Mason Mount – he and Ben Chilwell are both self-isolating after coming into close contact with Scotland’s Billy Gilmour, who has tested positive for Covid-19 – but just like that, Grealish’s first major tournament start was vindicated.
The strange paradox of Group D, of course, is that finishing top could be a curse in disguise, with the runners-up from the “Group of Death” – either France, Germany, Portugal or Hungary – awaiting in the next round.
There was no doubt that the Three Lions went on the front foot regardless. So how did they fare – and who will have impressed Southgate going into the last 16?
England player ratings
Pickford 6/10
As predicted, the stopper didn’t have an awful lot to do but he acquitted himself well when tested from distance.
Walker 6/10
There was one heart-rate raising moment when he chested the ball back to Pickford but Walker was generally impressive with his pace.
Stones 7/10
Stones did a solid enough job of neutralising Patrik Schick and looked composed and solid throughout.
Maguire 7/10
The Manchester United centre-back finally returned having missed the first two matches and, in spite of a couple of clumsy fouls, he led the defence just as you’d expect.
Shaw 8/10
Shaw was a constant menace down the left, twice testing the goalkeeper, but also committing to his defensive duties with a couple of vital blocks and interceptions. He created two chances in the first half and made a mockery of fears about how England would fare without Chilwell.
Rice 4/10
Rice repeatedly lost the ball before being taken off at half-time. It was always going to be tough for him in a midfield dominated by West Ham teammate Tomas Soucek.
Phillips 6/10
Phillips didn’t play the decisive through balls we witnessed against Croatia but he did a job, sitting deeper and allowing England’s range of attacking midfielders greater freedom.
Grealish 8/10
All eyes were on the Aston Villa playmaker and he did more than enough to put his hat in the ring for a start in the knockout stages. Grealish came off in the 68th minute but by then he’d already won a handful of free-kicks, linked up with Harry Kane down the middle and caused problems out wide.
Sterling 7/10
The decision to start Sterling over Jadon Sancho raised eyebrows but, once again, he was the match-winner. Goals speak for themselves.
Saka 8/10
Bukayo Saka has history with Jan Boril having faced the Slavia Prague man in the Europa League with Arsenal and within 25 minutes the 19-year-old had completed four take-ons – more than any other England player at the tournament so far. Saka was quite brilliant, giving Southgate’s side much more width.
Kane 5/10
The captain has been met with a barrage of criticism since the Scotland and while this was an improved performance – he tested the ‘keeper with a couple of tame-ish shots – and he clearly benefited from having more runners in behind him, he still doesn’t look at the races.
Substitutes
Henderson 7/10
Made much more impact than Rice, creating chances and breaking the lines. Scored but it was disallowed and he was well offside.
Bellingham 7/10
Got into some decent positions in the box and probably benefited from coming on once England were already looking comfortable. There is plenty more to come from the teenager.
Rashford 7/10
Rashford created chances when he came on and injected a bit of pace just as England were starting to look a little ftigued.
Mings N/A
Only came on in the 78th minute but didn’t do much wrong.
Sancho N/A
There is a lot of clamour to see the Dortmund forward included but he was thrown on towards the end and had little chance to shine.
England will find out their opponents in the last 16 on Wednesday depending on the outcomes of the final round of Group F fixtures.
More from i on Euro 2020
- What the Premier League could learn from Euro 2020’s controversy-free referees
- The football nomad who became a hero for his role in saving Eriksen’s life
- How Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola stunt could change the face of football sponsorship
- In praise of Emma Hayes, the best pundit at Euro 2020 so far
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3wOKgUP
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