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Player ratings as England kick off their Nations League campaign with a winning start in Iceland
Last Updated: 09/05/20 7:13 pm
Raheem Sterling couldn’t find a way through Iceland’s defense before scoring from the point
Raheem Sterling proved himself the winner of England’s match during a dramatic final in Iceland. But who else impressed and who didn’t?
The Manchester City star took a late penalty to put 10-man England 1-0 up, but the visitors nearly ruined it in Reykjavik when Joe Gomez conceded a penalty moments later.
Fortunately for the Three Lions he was fired over the bar and they got their Nations League campaign off to a winning start. But how did the people on Gareth Southgate’s side perform? We evaluate them here …
Jordan Pickford – 6
He had very little to do and no saves to make … even with Iceland’s last gasp of penalty sent flying over his bar.
Kyle Walker – 3
A reckless lunge for the ball against Arnor Ingvi Traustason always earned Walker a yellow card, and the fact that he had already been booked for shoving Albert Gudmundsson in the back made his challenge even more sloppy. He had provided pace and energy when England were up front, but left his teammates down with his sending off.
Kyle Walker was sent off for collecting two yellow cards
Joe Gomez – 5
He made a crucial interception to cut off a dangerous Icelandic attack early on and dealt with the threat of a long shot when necessary. He had too much class for Iceland’s attack during 90 minutes … but then he undid that good job in injury time when he gave up a penalty. He was released from the hook.
Eric Dier – 6
A loose pass off defense launched an Iceland attack in the first half and he was lucky that there was no drama when he missed a header from a tall forward shortly after. He won most of his aerial battles and ended up having three goal attempts from set pieces, but was unable to disturb the Icelandic goalkeeper.
Kieran Trippier – 6
He switched to left back, but seemed hampered by having to cut his right foot again. He seemed more threatening when handed set piece duties to him and made more crosses (six) than any other England player and created three chances.
Kieran Trippier played out of position on the left back
James Ward-Prowse – 5
An uneventful first half, but he will regret not making more of Sterling’s center in the area. He failed to provide the invention necessary to open up stubborn opposition. It is not a performance to suggest that it is England’s response in midfield right now.
Declan Rice – 6
He should have scored his first international goal, but badly missed Sancho’s cut from six yards. He was better on the defensive end, regaining possession quickly when Iceland had it. He recovered the ball 11 times, the most of the team.
Phil Foden impressed on his England debut
Phil Foden – 7
A guaranteed debut. He went through the lines with precision despite some physical marks from Iceland’s midfielders, but was unable to find the decisive pass to open up Iceland’s defense before it was withdrawn midway through the second half.
Jadon Sancho – 7
Typically buoyed by the right flank, always looking to run up to his man and hit Rice with a tantalizing cut. It seemed that England were more likely to make the breakthrough before being replaced by Alexander-Arnold.
Jadon Sancho looked like England’s most likely route to a goal
Raheem Sterling – 8
Always looking for the ball while England worked and was finally rewarded in the final minutes when he won a penalty when his shot was handled in the area and he coldly rolled the penalty. He had crossed before for what should have been Kane’s first game.
Harry Kane – 6
He had the ball in the net in the sixth minute, but was wrongly called offside. After that, he was out of the game for long periods and looked tired and frustrated as the second half progressed.
Harry Kane had a goal incorrectly disallowed for offside
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Danny Ings – 6
He entered his first appearance for England in nearly five years, rewarding for his 22 Premier League goals last season, but despite much enthusiasm, he didn’t get the chances in his way.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – n / a
Southgate turned to the Liverpool star to find a way through his ability to cross, but had little time to impress.
Mason Greenwood – n / a
After starring for Manchester United in 2020, Greenwood came in for his debut with Captain Kane, but he didn’t have the goal-setting he needed.
Whats Next?
England will now go to Denmark on Tuesday night at 7.45pm in the Nations League, live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event, while Iceland will be in Belgium at the same time, also live on Sky Sports Premier League.
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