BERLIN — A late Mikel Oyarzabal goal condemned England to their second consecutive European Championship defeat on a night that will prompt questions about Gareth Southgate’s future.
Spain edged a first half of few chances but didn’t go in front until after the restart when Nico Williams clinically slid a finish into the far corner.
Southgate sent on Cole Palmer in search of yet another comeback and the Chelsea playmaker duly equalised with a fine first-time strike from the edge of the box.
However, England failed to build on that moment and were crushed when Oyarzabal toe-poked past Jordan Pickford from close-range with just four minutes of normal time remaining.
Here’s how every England player rated out of 10:
Jordan Pickford – 7/10
Left exposed by his defence for Nico Williams’ goal and could do little to keep it out, but beaten to the ball by Mikel Oyarzabal for the second. Made two crucial saves down to his right to deny Lamine Yamal, initially to keep his side in the game and then to keep them level. Unfortunate to be on the losing side.
Kyle Walker – 5/10
Hurt himself early on after sliding awkwardly into Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente by the touchline but recovered. Got sucked infield for William’s opener and couldn’t race back in time to prevent him from scoring. Struggled to keep a lid on the livewire left winger all evening and was ineffective in attacking areas.
Luke Shaw – 7/10
Completely locked down Lamine Yamal in the first half but lost him for a split second after the break and was punished emphatically for it as the winger set up Nico Williams to score. Put in a Herculean effort considering this was his first competitive start in 147 days but noticeably – and understandably – tired in the second period.
John Stones – 6/10
Slid in magnificently to deny Williams a clear shot on Pickford’s goal after the winger had wriggled free from Walker in the first half and was then on hand to clear from in front of the goal-line after Alvaro Morata had squeezed a shot past Pickford. Perhaps could have done more on the second goal. Cautioned for a professional foul.
Marc Guehi – 7/10
One of the newcomers to this team from the last Euros but he’ll be a mainstay for years to come. Showed his leadership qualities by remonstrating at his teammates for failing to provide adequate protection. Came so close to scoring with a header but denied on the line by Olmo.
Declan Rice – 5/10
Unfortunately hasn’t transferred his Arsenal form into this tournament. Normally such an assured presence in front of the defence but was caught out by the intensity of Spain’s pressing game on a few occasions. Handed an impossible job of maintaining the midfield on his own after Mainoo’s withdrawal.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6/10
A game too far for England’s breakout star of the tournament against Europe’s long-established pass-masters. Mainoo has been majestic in the Euros and has a huge future for the Three Lions but it’s easy to forget how new to all of this he is. This was just the 44th senior appearance of his career and he found it a struggle at times, but kept going.
Bukayo Saka – 6/10
Played a crucial role in England’s equaliser by driving into Spain box before having the presence of mind to lift his head and pick out Bellingham. Otherwise he was well marshalled by Marc Cucurella who has been a different beast for Spain compared to Chelsea.
Jude Bellingham – 7/10
Expertly teed up Palmer to score with a cute one touch pass. Created a half-chance for Kane that was blocked from one tackle made high in Spain’s half. Occasionally guilty of running down blind alleys but brilliant off the ball. Put in a monstrous defensive shift, especially in the first half when he was a one-man pressing demon.
Phil Foden – 5/10
Unable to catch fire in the final after finally providing a spark in this tournament against the Netherlands in the semi-final. Registered England’s first shot on target of the night with an opportunistic stab at goal from a free-kick but the game largely passed him by. Still hasn’t quite managed to replicate his club form for his country.
Harry Kane 4/10
Subbed off for the fourth game in a row and after only 60 minutes. That prospect would have been unthinkable before the tournament, but Kane has looked too slow on and off the ball since England’s opener. Either he was hampered by injury beforehand or is diminishing physically. Either way he is no longer a guaranteed starter, despite earning a share of the Golden Boot.
Substitutes:
Ollie Watkins – 6/10
Unable to replicate the magnificent impact he made off the bench in the semi-final. Didn’t have much to attack but mis-controlled a Bellingham pass in the box.
Cole Palmer – 7/10
Scored a superb equaliser with a trademark curling strike into the bottom corner. Arguably should have come on earlier.
Ivan Toney – N/A
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/YduE6rw
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