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England ended their Nations League campaign with a 4-0 win over Iceland, but which players impressed the most?
Phil Foden (2), Declan Rice and Mason Mount hit the mark for Gareth Southgate’s side when they spotted their opponents, who had Birkir Mar Saevarsson sent off in the second half.
Here we evaluate individual performances …
4:48
Highlights from the UEFA Nations League A2 match between England and Iceland.
Jordan Pickford – 7
A quiet night for England’s number one, but he had to hit well early on and showed his commitment to playing from behind by delaying, delaying and finally selecting Bukayo Saka with a slide rule pass under pressure. Not much more than an observer in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 7
Trippier, one of Gareth Southgate’s most trusted players, provided England with good range down the right flank and crossed well for Kane at the half-time break. He showed the painstaking work his coach loves by running back to intercept during an Iceland attack in the second half.
Kyle Walker – 6
Walker has come under fire for his rash play in recent weeks and got unnecessary reserve for a hard-hitting challenge on Sigurjonsson. He had plenty of touches, but was reserved with his attacking play for much of the first half, barring an ambitious cross just before the break. He lost Arnason on a corner kick for Iceland’s best second-half chance and was substituted shortly after.
Eric Dier – 7
There’s not much to do in the heart of the last three against a limited attack from Iceland, but he had to run back to cover a run behind early on and had the pace to deal with the danger. He cleaned himself up again early in the second half and then had a shot at an offensive free kick to stay in the game.
Harry Maguire – 8
Back in XI after missing the trip to Belgium due to suspension and had a much happier experience than his previous Nations League appearance at this stadium. There was a misplaced pass from the back that gave Iceland a snort, but he was predominantly an enthusiastic contributor and welcome to England’s attack, pressing forward down the left and could have received an assist via a Foden opportunity. He even tried his luck from a distance later.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Another opportunity to impress in the left-back role presented itself and he took it. He could have entered the roster with an error in the first half before firing a more powerful effort at the goalkeeper after the break, but he caused trouble for Iceland throughout, with Saevarsson hitting him early on and then being sent off for taking him back.
Declan Rice – 7
Rice’s goal, his first for his country, may have escaped him, but he will not care in the least. That put England on track, and while it was an easy night on defense, Rice took good care of the ball and kept up the pace with his passing.
Mason assembly – 8
Reinstated in central midfield, where he had impressed against Ireland, but intended to play much higher up the field, and he did so with real effect. He saw an early shot blocked and encouragingly linked to Jack Grealish. Sharp and clinical when he reacted in the area to score England’s second. Deleted with 25 minutes to play after reinforcing his case.
Jack Grealish – 7
The England star in Belgium put on another eye-catching display against Iceland. It was he who won a free kick on the edge of the Iceland area that led to England’s first match and was repeatedly attacked by an Iceland defense who struggled to contain their deception.
Phil Foden – 9
1:57
Phil Foden spoke of his joy and relief after scoring his first goals for England in a 4-0 Nations League win over Iceland at Wembley.
Clean and tidy with his touch as always, though perhaps deeper than he would have liked at first, but he pinpointed his free-kick assist for Rice’s first goal and could have scored with a close-range drive in 30 minutes. He played in higher positions thereafter and swept home with 10 minutes to play before crashing in a second. Then he brought out the party tricks.
Harry Kane – 7
Desperate to score, but ultimately frustrated in that regard, despite five shots on goal. Shooting from the edge of the area just before half an hour, he saw a low shot deflected shortly after, then fired past the far post as he tried to join in the fun. He even delayed his substitution to have a free kick start but to no avail.
Subs
Harry Winks – 7
Forward for Mount in 65 minutes and he stroked it in style like he always does, creating a couple of chances for his teammates and even getting an assist for Foden’s long-range shot.
Tyrone Mings – 6
In place of Kyle Walker and on the left side of England behind three with 25 minutes to play, Iceland’s limited ambitions were gone by then.
Tammy Abraham – 6
With 15 minutes to go, but he had no real chance of falling on his way.
Jadon Sancho – 7
Helpless with his first dribble attempt but delivered a reminder of his speed and skill as he set Foden up for England’s third.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – n / a
Sent with only five minutes to play.
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