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England came from behind to seal a 2-1 win over Belgium and move up to the top of Nations League Group A2, but how do we rate the individual players?
ENGLAND PLAYER RATINGS
Jordan Pickford – 6
Back on the wing despite a good showing from Nick Pope against Wales. Defeated by his former Everton teammate Romelu Lukaku on penalty, but little else was left to do. He flapped on a cross in the second half, but dealt better with others.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6
Involved in the preparation for England’s second goal, his deep center found Kieran Trippier at the far post, but he struggled defensively, particularly in the first half when Belgium appeared to be aiming for his flank. Reece James replaced him later.
Kyle Walker – 8
He had some awkward moments in the first half, like the rest of England’s defense, but his pace proved invaluable in covering Alexander-Arnold. He showed impressive anticipation to quench several attacks from Belgium and made a vital block from Lukaku in the final stages.
Eric Dier – 6
One of only three players to keep his place on the team since the win over Wales, but conceded the penalty early when he awkwardly dropped Lukaku. He endured a difficult first half in the heart of England’s defense, but showed some improvement after the break.
Harry Maguire – 6
He struggled with Belgian running backs at times, but seemed to gain confidence as the game progressed and used the ball efficiently throughout, completing 83 of his 85 passes.
Kieran Trippier – 7
He slipped out of position on the left back and looked uncomfortable in front of the marauder Thomas Meunier at times. It’s far better to move forward though, claim a back-header assist from Mount for England’s winning goal, and send in some dangerous curves.
Declan Rice – 7
He struggled with Kevin de Bruyne’s movement at times and earned a yellow card for a foul on Axel Witsel in the first half, but improved after the break. He helped keep Belgium at bay in the final stages and created an excellent opportunity for Rashford to make the game safe at the end.
Mason Mount celebrates his winning goal against Belgium
Jordan Henderson – 6
He won the penalty for the England draw, going to the ground despite minimal contact from Meunier. Perhaps, he could have shown more attacking intent with his pass before giving way to Kalvin Phillips midway through the second half.
Mason assembly – 8
Selected ahead of Jack Grealish despite the Aston Villa man’s striking performance against Wales. A peripheral figure for long periods on the right, but more effectively drifting down the front row and scoring the decisive goal after appearing on the left.
Marcus Rashford – 7
A scoring performance to cap off a week in which he received an MBE. His penalty was confidently dispatched, but he should have had another, shooting after Rice’s excellent work in the final stages.
Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring England’s equalizer
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 7
He kept his place in the team after his goalscoring debut against Wales. Unable to seize a pair of half chances, but he kept the ball well, cleverly paired the play and showed his aerial prowess before being replaced by Harry Kane in the second half.
Subs
Kalvin Phillips – 6
He provided a little extra energy in central midfield after replacing Henderson.
Harry Kane – 5
He missed an excellent opportunity to put the game out of reach for Belgium in the final stages, sending a free header deflected from a corner by Trippier.
Reece James – 6
He helped prop up England’s right flank in the final stages.
Jadon Sancho – n / a
A late presentation for Mount, but he had little time to impact the proceedings.
Belgium Player Ratings
Simon Mignolet – 6
The goalkeeper of Belgium’s fourth team started against England due to injury and the absence of those above him in the pecking order. He looked safe for most of the night, but he went the wrong way with Rashford’s penalty and could do little with Mount’s deflected shot.
Toby Alderweireld – 6
Familiar with this place after the Spurs’ season at the national stadium and he looked at home, organizing Calvert-Lewin and Rashford well when they faced him one-on-one. But he allowed Mount to fire and deflected him on Mignolet when England stepped forward.
Jason Denayer – 7
He defended aggressively during the first half, ensuring Mount had little room to work on England’s right flank.
Jason Denayer protects the ball from Mason Mount at Wembley
Dedryck Boyata – 7
Like his central teammates, he felt quite comfortable with England’s attack and showed a cool head to deal with a difficult pass from Mignolet under pressure. He showed good pace to recover when Rashford made the pass early in the second half.
Thomas Meunier – 6
A graceful move on an England player on the edge of his own box kicked off the play that led to Lukaku winning the penalty for Belgium’s first goal. He cut a wide volley, which would have capped off another good play from Belgium. But then he was booked for retiring Henderson on an England penalty after the visitors had been on top for most of the first half. Gentle, but unnecessary.
Timothy Chestnuts – 7
Playing as a left back, Castagne bonded well with Yannick Carrasco after causing his teammate’s first shot to be ruled offside. He seemed comfortable and graceful on the ball as he has done in his first games on the right side of the Leicester defense.
Axel Witsel – 6
A cool and calm presence in front of the Belgian defense, but had to work much harder after the break as England’s tactical changes saw them enjoy greater possession.
Youri Tielemans – 7
Exceptional early long pass looking for De Bruyne, but he showed he can do the other side of the game by getting on top of Henderson to regain the ball in midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne – 7
He possesses a real fear factor these days and, after testing Pickford with a tame left foot shot from the edge of the box, he repeatedly got into dangerous positions on the right channel. But it was from the left that he should have had an assist with a great pass to Carrasco.
Yannick Carrasco – 6
He caused trouble with an inside run from the left side early on, then had the ball in the back of the net, but saw his goal disallowed for offside against Castagne. He should have been on the scoreboard when Lukaku passed him just before the break, but he dragged his shot wide wide and then slashed the ball past the far post when De Bruyne threw it. Two good missed opportunities.
Romelu Lukaku – 8
Playing in England for the first time since leaving the Premier League, Lukaku showed Man Utd what he is missing with an excellent performance in the first half. Happy to go deep to link the game, but he showed his pace to overtake Dier and win a slamming penalty in Belgium’s opener. It should have had an assist when a sublime movie played through Carrasco. England did well to close the channels of passage in the 45 seconds.
Romelu Lukaku celebrates after giving Belgium the lead
Subs
Yari Verschaeren – n / a
Released after De Bruyne appeared to suffer an injury, but had little time to impact the game.
Jeremy Doku –n / a
He replaced Carrasco in the final stages.
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