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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Nick Ames

England 1-2 Holland: how the players rated

Goalscorer Jamie Vardy was on fine form but his England team endured a frustrating night at Wembley.
Goalscorer Jamie Vardy was on fine form but his England team endured a frustrating night at Wembley. Photograph: Richard Calver/Rex Shutterstock

England

Fraser Forster

No chance for the penalty, but saved well from Janssen in the buildup. A couple of nervy moments with ball at feet. 6

Kyle Walker

Had to wait his moment before, on his first overlap, laying on Vardy’s goal incisively. Looked steady and dealt well with Depay. 7

Chris Smalling

Some careless moments in the early stages but settled well enough. Arguably looks more at ease alongside Gary Cahill. 6

John Stones

Showed the value of his technique before Vardy’s goal but a less well-judged attempt to play from the back led to the penalty. 6

Danny Rose

Lucky after a risky tackle on Veltman; not so lucky when handling Narsingh’s cross. All-round game not as sharp as in Berlin. 5

James Milner

Heavily involved in the move for the opener and tried hard to stay involved on the right, although lacked guile to expose the Dutch. 6

Danny Drinkwater

Similar energy to his Leicester showings and some fine pieces of tracking. Needed to release the ball more quickly at times 6

Ross Barkley

Stifled by Bazoer for much of the game. Found the odd pocket of space but needs to be more prominent than he was here. 5

Adam Lallana

Little had come off until the cute ball that released Walker, but he grew in influence and has done his cause much good this week. 7

Daniel Sturridge

Too quiet in the first half, but finally got at Blind once or twice before the break and drew a sharp stop from Zoet before going off. 6

Jamie Vardy

Afforded little space to run behind, or at, the defence but finished Walker’s cutback confidently and later came close from range. 7

Substitutes

Walcott (for Sturridge, 58); Clyne (for Rose, 58); Kane (for Lallana, 70); Jagielka (for Smalling, 70); Alli (for Milner, 82); Dier (for Drinkwater, 85). Not used Heaton, Cahill, Henderson, Welbeck.

England playmaker Ross Barkley was kept under close observation by Holland midfielder ~Riecheldy Bazoer.
England playmaker Ross Barkley was kept under close observation by Holland midfielder Riecheldy Bazoer. Photograph: Frank Augstein/AP

Holland

Jeroen Zoet

Had barely been involved before Vardy’s goal but was alert to deny Sturridge and Vardy in the second period. 7

Joël Veltman

Unfortunate not to win a penalty after being taken down by Rose. Rarely got forward after that but defended his back post well throughout. 7

Jeffrey Bruma

Uncompromising at centre-back, blocking from Sturridge in the first half and putting head or boot on all that came his way. 7

Daley Blind

England might have done more to expose his lack of pace but his reading of the game was accomplished and there were few alarms. 7

Jetro Willems

A competent, conservative 90 minutes from the left-back, who was rarely beaten by opponents for strength or speed. 6

Georginio Wijnaldum

Tidy and incisive, forcing a first-half save from Forster, although his most important work was done off the ball. 7

Riecheldy Bazoer

Stuck tigerishly to Barkley and gave the playmaker little to work with. Sharp in the interception, and looks a genuine talent. 8

Ibrahim Afellay

Composed and disciplined in a compact midfield, with few chances to show his more constructive side. 6

Quincy Promes

Looked a sharp operator on the right but a knock seemed to hinder him and he was replaced by Narsingh before half-time. 6

Vincent Janssen

Penalty was put away confidently, and his assist for Narsingh blended the work rate and composure that marked his night. 8

Memphis Depay

Wayward with an early snap shot but put a disciplined shift in on the left of the attack, even if he did not have the beating of Walker. 6

Substitutes

Narsingh (for Promes, 37); Van Ginkel (for Bazoer, 78); Van Aanholt (for Willems, 82); Clasie (for Janssen, 90). Not used Vermeer, Karsdorp, Huntelaar, De Jong, Letschert, Vorm.

Referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz (Spain).

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