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Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a debut goal when England beat Wales 3-0 at Wembley, while Conor Coady and Danny Ings also scored their first goals for their country.
Jack Grealish was not among the scorers, but he had an outstanding performance in his first start for Gareth Southgate’s much-changed team.
But what did Ryan Giggs learn about his team before a crucial play-off semifinal? Here are the player ratings …
Nick Pope – 7
With questions about the form of Jordan Pickford, this was a great night for Pope and he did not disappoint his country with a solid performance. A big claim midway through the first half was typical of his willingness to collect crosses, while also smothering well at the feet of Kieffer Moore. The much-discussed footwork of the Burnley man caused no problems.
Joe Gomez – 6
This was a chance to forget about the Aston Villa debacle, a performance that would be enough to knock anyone’s confidence, and he did it pretty well. He showed some intent with his pass down the right side of a back three, nearly unlocking the opposition with a flush ball.
Conor Coady – 7
What a night for Coady when he scored a goal and found himself in possession of the captain’s armband while making his second appearance for England. There were not many of his trademark long diagonal passes, but the Wolves captain will settle for another clean sheet and his first senior goal since converting a penalty against Bolton in April 2018.
Conor Coady celebrates his first England goal against Wales
Michael Keane – 6
Awarded for Everton’s strong start with a spot on the left side of a back three and he didn’t look entirely comfortable in that position. He was beaten by Moore on a long ball, but overall he looked solid, mixing up his passes. Shifted to the right later in the game.
Kieran Trippier – 7
Captain for the first time, he produced a good performance worthy of honor. Involved in setting up the opening goal, Trippier also shot the menacing free kick for the second. The distribution was not always successful, as he was rejected at times during the first half, but this was a sure demonstration by the Atlético de Madrid player.
Kalvin Phillips – 6
Phillips has improved his reputation even since winning his previous England game, having been an integral part of the Leeds squad that has lit up the opening weeks of the Premier League season. He didn’t have it all his way in midfield but his passing range began to show when play opened in the second half.
Harry Winks – 6
The hope was that Winks would add something different in the middle after Phillips and Declan Rice looked a bit one-dimensional against Denmark. He was solid enough without really convincing himself that he has the tools to unlock opponents from deeper areas.
Bukayo Saka – 6
In his England debut as a left back, Saka got off to a nervous start. A defensive header back into a dangerous area allowed an opportunity for Wales and it was dispossessed and dribbled too easily early on. But he grew up in the game and began to show what he could do, even coming close to scoring with a deflected effort in the second half.
Jack Grealish – 8
Excellent visualization. Oozing confidence from the start, Grealish was the standout player on the pitch and it was his quality that opened Wales for the opening goal. Aside from that classy assist, his run from deep caused a lot of trouble, winning the free kick for the second goal. He even did his fair share of defensive work. Grealish is here to stay.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 8
The Premier League top scorer came in for his debut and picked up where he left off for Everton by scoring a goal. It was what has become a typical Calvert-Lewin goal: the first time from close range, this time with the head. His heist game was strong too and there were some smart runs behind the Wales defense even before his goal. Very impressive.
Danny Ings – 7
The senior man at the top of England the night he won only his third international match. He pushed from the right front early on and then delivered an imaginative pass from behind to set up Calvert-Lewin soon after. But the moment that will make this a game to remember was when his header found the back of the net for his first England goal.
Danny Ings scores an acrobatic third for England against Wales
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Reece James – 6
Awarded with his international debut and it was a good time to do so just as England were beginning to take control of the game. Pretty solid performance from young Chelsea.
Tyrone Mings – 6
He seemed to be enjoying himself, taking some risks at the rear, but his biggest impact came at the other end of the field where he won the header to set up England’s third goal.
Mason assembly – 6
The Chelsea man had surgery on that right pocket and he was busy. He almost brought in the fourth goal by passing the ball to Ings and taking a good position in the penalty area.
James Ward-Prowse – N / A
Fourth cap for the Southampton midfielder and he added something a little different in midfield with his willingness to attempt the occasional longer pass and keep it short.
Harvey Barnes – N / A
Another debut. He had an opening, but he didn’t have much time to show that ability to lead the defense that has been a hallmark of his performances in the Premier League.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – N / A
He had a couple of dangerous runs in the Welsh defense from that left channel, but couldn’t find the killer touch once he reached the penalty area. Just a second cap for the Arsenal man.
WELSH
Wayne Hennessey – 7
The night Hennessey equaled the international appearance count of the legendary Neville Southall, there was no clean sheet for the Crystal Palace goalkeeper. He was ingrained in his line when Calvert-Lewin headed home from close range, but he couldn’t do much for the other two and made excellent saves with a couple of deflected efforts.
Connor Roberts – 6
Solid enough in both his brand and his distribution, even progressing well in the first half, as Wales had a lot more ball than expected. Despite being an international friendly, he entered the book before the break for a late challenge on Saka.
Joe Rodon – 6
The Swansea center-back remains linked to Tottenham and facing two forwards in Premier League form was a useful test in what was only his fifth international game. He withstood the challenge well enough in the air and on the ground in the first half, but Ryan Giggs withdrew him at halftime.
Chris Mepham – 5
Tough night for the Bournemouth defender as he was outmatched by Calvert-Lewin. The physical fight was tough enough, but his role in the goal that gave England the lead will disappoint him – losing his man in the box. There was a chance to make amends at the other end, but Mepham’s header only fell into Pope’s hands.
Ben Davies – 6
His place is vulnerable in Tottenham following the arrival of Sergio Reguilon, but Davies remains a key figure for his country. In fact, he has more caps than the entire England starting lineup for this match. Sometimes he moved on without much to show for it.
Ethan Ampadu – 5
This was a real learning curve for Ampadu. He had a lot of ball in the center of the field and he showed the will to carry it, but there were also mistakes: wayward passes and moments when he was dispossessed. He should have also done more to stop the cross on the opening goal. Replaced in the second half after a series of fouls on Grealish.
Joe Morrell – 6
He is not yet listed at Bristol City this season, but Morrell still had a career away from the national team and competed well in a congested midfield. He was replaced by Giggs at halftime.
Jonny Williams – 6
Another who found himself caught up in midfield melee at times, fighting for space, and as he was being pushed off the ball at times, was willing to take the ball when he could. Quiet evening for the Charlton Athletic midfielder.
Tyler Roberts – 6
Roberts had only one Premier League appearance to his name before this season, but he has been part of the effervescent Leeds squad and should have come into this game with confidence. He was confident enough on the right wing before rising to the top, but he really wasn’t particularly close to opening his goal tally internationally.
Rabbi Matondo – 6
Matondo had a very busy evening in which he showed both the strengths and weaknesses of his game. The young Schalke’s determined run with the ball at his feet certainly attracted attention and that ability to carry the ball is a useful weapon. But the final ball wasn’t always there and he was guilty of being dispossessed in some dangerous areas.
Kieffer Moore – 6
The Cardiff striker faced three central defenders and could have hoped to feed on scraps, but was upset early on and had a left foot shot that went wide. An even better start followed, but Pope denied it, an incident in which he was injured and was substituted before the break.
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Neco Williams – 6
The Liverpool youngster sees more action on the right side, but Moore’s injury forced him into action during the first half on the right side of midfield ahead of Connor Roberts.
Ben Cabango – 5
He entered the second half to win his second international game for Wales. He could have done more to prevent Coady from having a clear run to the goal that doubled England’s lead.
Dylan Levitt – 5
Another that was featured at halftime but couldn’t help turn the tide for Wales. Reserved for a nasty challenge at Winks when his cleats caught the midfielder’s calf.
Will Vaulks – 5
The Cardiff midfielder came in during the second half but failed to impress and will feel like he should have been closer to Ings, who had too much room to score England’s third.
Chris Gunter – N / A
With a brief cameo at Wembley to mark his 97th international game for Wales.
Matthew Smith – NA
Another who came out with the game has already lost.
Whats Next?
Both teams now turn their attention to the UEFA Nations League. England face Belgium in Group A2 live Sky Sports Football HD Starting at 4:30 PM on Sunday, starting at 5:00 PM, while Wales faces the Republic of Ireland in Group B4, and coverage begins on Sky Sports Football HD at 1:30 PM before the start of 2:00 p.m.
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