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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
John Cross

England player ratings as Jude Bellingham underlines 'best young midfield talent' tag

Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka all netted as England swatted Senegal aside and booked a World Cup quarter-final date with France.

England looked jittery until Henderson swept in Jude Bellingham's centre just before half-time for his first goal since the Merseyside derby on December 1 last year - and his first for the Three Lions since November 2021.

And then with the last kick of the first half, a devilish counter-attack saw the brilliant Bellingham feed Phil Foden, who put Kane in to thump past Edouard Mendy.

Kane forced Mendy into a palm stinger as his mojo returned after a goalless, but assist-filled, group stage. Bukayo Saka reclaimed his place in the starting XI at Marcus Rashford's expense and added a third when he dinked Foden's low cross in.

Mirror Football's John Cross and Simon Mullock were at the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar and kept a close eye on England and Senegal players. Here is how they rated the Three Lions and the Lions of Teranga...

ENGLAND (4-3-3) - John Cross

Jordan Pickford 8

His sensational one-handed save at 0-0 to deny Senegal was a game changer.

Kyle Walker 7

Given some tough moments by Sarr but his pace is so important for this defence.

John Stones 8

Looked composed and strong, he’s looked silky smooth and in control in Qatar.

Harry Maguire 7

First dodgy spell in this World Cup with a couple of misplaced passes but came through.

Jude Bellingham was sensational for England (Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

Luke Shaw 7

Another excellent performance from one of the first names on the team sheet.

Declan Rice 7

Another good, solid performance as he shielded the defence to great effect.

Jordan Henderson 7

Huge moment for England when Henderson broke the deadlock. Excellent again.

Jude Bellingham 9

This will go down as a defining performance for a world class talent. Sensational.

Bukayo Saka 8

Brilliant finish for England’s third goal. His decision making is sensational. Terrific.

England will face France in the quarter-finals (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Harry Kane 8

He’s off the mark, up and running. Great finish and now we have lift off.

Phil Foden 8

Two assists and showed exactly why he is such an incredible young talent.

Substitutes

Grealish, for Foden, 65, 7

Rashford, for Saka, 65, 7

Dier, for Stones, 77 mins

Mount, for Bellingham, 77 mins

Trippier, Pope, Phillips, Coady, Alexander-Arnold, Ramsdale, Wilson, Maddison, Gallagher

SENEGAL (4-2-3-1) - Simon Mullock

EDOUARD MENDY 5

The Chelsea keeper has had a poor World Cup but given little hope by England’s finishing.

Jude Bellingham set Jordan Henderson for the opener (Stefan Matzke/Corbis via Getty Images)

YOUSSOUF SABALY 5

Exposed by Bellingham’s power, pace and vision for England’s second goal from Kane.

KALIDOU KOULIBALY 4

Slow and sluggish - especially when Bellingham burst past him to set-up Henderson. Booked.

ABDOU DIALLO 5

Aggressive approach with Kane but couldn’t handle the England skipper’s movement when he scored.

ISMAIL JAKOBS 6

Kept a tight early reign on Saka but was slow to react when Foden set up the Arsenal youngster for No 3.

PATHE CISS 4

Loose with the ball and found it tough to impose himself on the contest.

NAMPLYS MENDY 5

Harry Kane finally got on the scoresheet at this World Cup (AFP via Getty Images)

Leicester ’s midfielder was overpowered by Henderson in the opening exchanges - and didn’t improve afterwards.

KREPIN DIATTA 4

Struggled to come to terms with the pace and flow of the game. Subbed at half-time.

ILIMAN NDIAYE 6

The Sheffield United forward caused England some problems and was unlucky to be subbed at the break.

ISMAILA SARR 6

Watford fans will have been surprised to see him blaze a great first-half chance over from close range.

BOULAYE DIA 6

Early sight of goal before Maguire’s intervention and forced Pickford into an excellent save. Subbed.

Substitutions

PAPE SARR (Diatta 46): 5.

PAPA GUEYE (Ciss 46): 5.

BAMBA DIENG (Ndiaye 46): 5.

FAMARA DIEDHIOU (72): 5.

Referee : Ivan Barton 6

Man of the match: Jude Bellingham

The best young midfield talent in European football. Bar none.

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