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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Martha Kelner at the Kaliningrad Stadium

England 0-1 Belgium: how the World Cup 2018 players rated in Kaliningrad

Jordan Pickford slides off his line as Marouane Fellaini threatens the England goal.
Jordan Pickford slides off his line as Marouane Fellaini threatens the England goal. Photograph: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images

England (3-3-2-2)

Jordan Pickford

Fumbled with the ball in six-yard box on a couple of occasions. Not a good night for the 24-year-old. 5

Phil Jones

Failed to shore up the defence and made to look very ordinary by club-mate Fellaini at times. 5

John Stones

Only outfield player to start all three games and worrying to see him strapped up after being taken off. 7

Gary Cahill

Early clearance off the line spared Pickford’s blushes but most capped player’s experience was not plain. 6

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Teenager was industrious down the right wing and goal-line clearance will have given confidence. 7

Eric Dier

Started slowly, gave ball away sloppily and did little to suggest he could displace Henderson. 5

Danny Rose

Left Januzaj unmarked and when he finally caught up was utterly bamboozled for the goal. 5

Ruben Loftus-Cheek A bright, bustling spark in a rather grey side. A few energetic dribbles and did look to worry Belgians. 7

Fabian Delph

Dispossessed on occasion and unlikely to have advanced his cause but not altogether terrible. 5

Jamie Vardy

Darting runs and clearly wanted to win but was isolated and offered little end-product. 5

Marcus Rashford

Simply had to score when one-on-one with Courtois but keeper was able to tip wide a shot too close to him. 5

Subs Harry Maguire 6 (for Stones ht) and will likely start against Colombia; Danny Welbeck 6 (for Alexander‑Arnold 79) finally got his chance to play.

Belgium (3-4-2-1)

Thibaut Courtois

Has yet to have a proper test from Panama, Tunisia or indeed England. But cut a confident figure. 7

Leander Dendoncker A couple of vicious challenges on Rose and was booked after half an hour. 5

Dedryck Boyata Celtic defender coped well when faced with the pacy duo of Vardy and Rashford. 7

Thomas Vermaelen Stayed on despite a nasty cut after clash of heads with Vardy and was an assured presence. 6

Nacer Chadli Good headed clearance from a decent Alexander-Arnold free-kick and did little wrong. 6

Youri Tielemans Fizzing shot from distance after five minutes forced a save but booked for hefty challenge on Rose. 6

Mousa Dembélé An ever assured presence in the middle and a player Gareth Southgate must have looked at enviously. 7

Thorgan Hazard Couple of shots in first half woefully wide of the mark but picked up in second half. 6

Adnan Januzaj Striker who once vaguely entertained the possibility of playing for England produced a peach of a goal. 8

Marouane Fellaini Generally made himself a nuisance and important deflection of goal-bound Welbeck effort. 8

Michy Batshuayi Hit own face with ball when celebrating but one of few Belgians to show obvious attacking intent. 7

Subs Vincent Kompany 6 (for Vermaelen 74): Drew a huge cheer as he came on and offered welcome reinforcement; Dries Mertens 6 (for Januzaj 86).

Referee Damir Skomina (Svn) Attendance 33,973

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