England vs Latvia player ratings as James scores 8/10 and Bellingham ‘gets lucky’

England 3-0 Latvia (James 38′, Kane 68′, Eze 75′)

WEMBLEY STADIUM — England made it two wins from two under Thomas Tuchel with a comfortable win against Latvia to go three points clear at the top of their World Cup qualifying group.

Reece James, back in the international picture under his former Chelsea manager, produced a sublime free-kick to open the scoring.

Harry Kane doubled England’s advantage in the second half, as he did against Albania on Friday, before substitute Eberechi Eze made it three with a deflected effort.

Here’s how the players rated:

Jordan Pickford – 5/10

Lucky not to concede after charging out of his goal when Marc Guehi appeared to have the situation under control. Made a routine save from Alvis Jaunzems’ long-range effort, but otherwise untroubled.

Reece James – 8/10

It’s simply MAGNIFICENT!

A freekick of pure quality from Reece James #ITVFootball | #ThreeLions | #CFC pic.twitter.com/xgz9xca16u

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 24, 2025

Capped his first England start in three years with a first-ever goal for his country. It was an absolute beauty of a free-kick that swerved sweetly into the top corner from a fair distance out. Not that he looked too happy about it… Earned more applause later on for a perfectly timed sliding tackle to stop a rare Latvia attack.

Ezri Konsa – 6/10

So close to scoring his first international goal with a left-footed swipe that was just about pawed over the crossbar. Took a sore one after being bundled into by Latvia’s battering ram of a centre-forward, but was able to carry on, much to Unai Emery‘s relief.

Marc Guehi – 6/10

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Recalled in place of Dan Burn, Guehi had an uncomfortable moment early on after a misunderstanding with Pickford. Missed a great chance late on with a header in the middle of the goal, but overall performed solidly.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7/10

Retained his place after a goalscoring debut and while his second appearance was less dazzling than the first it was an accomplished performance. Cannily won the free-kick that James scored from.

Declan Rice – 7/10

Picked ostensibly to protect the back four, Rice found himself by the byline midway through the second half where he pulled a cut-back across to Kane to tap in. That’s two assists for Kane in as many games under Tuchel.

Jude Bellingham – 6/10

Has plenty of license to break into the box under Tuchel having six attempts in the first-half alone. Booked in the first-half after catching a Latvian player with his studs and hugely fortunate to not receive a second for a lunge after the restart. Lucky, lucky boy.

Morgan Rogers – 7/10

Played slightly deeper than he does with Aston Villa as one of Tuchel’s No 8s, but still did what he does best by driving at the Latvian defence at any opportunity. Went close with a couple of strikes from the edge of the box and overall impressed on his first senior start.

Jarrod Bowen – 6/10

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Bizarrely not awarded a penalty after having his legs swiped from underneath him by the keeper. Set up Rogers at the end of the first half after a jinking run into the box. Subbed first on the hour mark.

Marcus Rashford – 6/10

Looked motivated to make something happen after Tuchel highlighted his lack of impact against Albania. Had a few bright moments when driving at his full-back but took a bit too long to release a pass or a shot. Will be pleased to back in the fold after a long time on the fringes.

Harry Kane – 7/10

Similarly to the Albania game, it took the skipper a couple of goes before finding the net, but those misses merely delayed the inevitable. Kane passed up a couple of decent chances but could’ve finished the one he did convert with his eyes closed. A return of 71 goals in 105 caps is some going.

Substitutes:

Eberechi Eze (on for Bowen 60′) 7/10

Came off the bench to score his first international goal, albeit with the aid of a big deflection and was lively overall.

Phil Foden (on for Bellingham 67′)

Curtis Jones (on for Rashford 79′)

Jordan Henderson (on for Rice 79′)

Kyle Walker (on for Lewis-Skelly 79′)

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