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Wales 0-3 England: player ratings from the World Cup Group B game

Jacob Steinberg at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
·3-min read
<span>Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian</span>
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Wales (4-4-1-1)

Danny Ward (GK) Stepped to his right before Rashford’s free-kick and was unable to adjust in time. 4/10

Neco Williams (RB) Stuck with Rashford but was forced off with a suspected concussion in the first half after heading a powerful Rashford shot. 5

Joe Rodon (CB) Battled hard but could not keep the defensive effort going when England raised their level. 4

Chris Mepham (CB) Caught out when Kane sent Rashford through early on. Could not keep England at bay. 4

Ben Davies (LB) Had his pocket pinched by Rashford in the buildup to England’s second goal. Average performance. 4

Gareth Bale (RW) He barely had a touch before going off at half-time. Was this his final game? 4

Joe Allen (CM) Had his side’s first shot, firing over. But his influence on the game was limited. 4

Ethan Ampadu (CM) Worked hard but was outclassed. Fouled Foden for the free-kick that led to the opener. 4

Related: Rashford’s double puts England top of group and sends Wales home

Dan James (LW) Made no impact against Walker, who was too strong. Curled a cross narrowly wide. Booked. 4

Aaron Ramsey (AM) Looked past it at this level. Game passed him by. Booked for a foul on Henderson. 4

Kieffer Moore (CF) The big striker had a thankless task. Hold-up play was disappointing. Tested Pickford from distance. 4

Substitutes

Brennan Johnson Made little impact after coming on for Bale; 4. Connor Roberts Beaten by pace and skill when Rashford scored his second; 4. Joe Morrell Came on for the injured Davies; 5. Harry Wilson Replaced the ineffective James; 5. Rubin Colwill On too late to make a difference; 5.

Kyle Walker (right) vies with Kieffer Moore of Wales.
Kyle Walker (right) vies with Kieffer Moore of Wales, in the England right-back’s first start of the World Cup. Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock

England (4-3-3)

Jordan Pickford (GK) Stayed alert and made a stop from a deflected shot from Kieffer Moore at 2-0. 7

Kyle Walker (RB) Got vital minutes on his first start since early October. Showed no signs of rust. 7

John Stones (CB) Comfortable against a mediocre Welsh attack. But needs to be more progressive on the ball. 7

Harry Maguire (CB) A wayward blast summed up England’s first half. But his defending was rock-solid again. 8

Luke Shaw (LB) Untroubled defensively. Always quicker to the ball than his opponents. Crossing needs to be better. 7

Declan Rice (CM) Had an easy time sweeping up in midfield. Could be more imaginative with his passing. 7

Jordan Henderson (CM) He stabilised England against USA and offered a lot of energy. Retrieved possession well. 7

Jude Bellingham (CM) Surging run caught the eye in the first half. Elegant touches and almost scored. 7

Phil Foden (RW) Improved after moving to the left. Scared Wales with his dribbling and scored the second. 8

Harry Kane (CF) Set up England’s second but will be annoyed not to have scored in the group stage. 7

Marcus Rashford (LW) Spurned an early chance but dazzled after switching with Foden. Cracking free-kick and a slick second. 8 (man of the match)

Substitutes

Trent Alexander-Arnold Did nothing wrong after coming on for Walker; 6. Callum Wilson Replaced Kane and set up chances for Rashford and Bellingham; 7. Kalvin Phillips Came on for his first tournament appearance. Raking pass set up Rashford’s second goal; 7. Kieran Trippier Introduced to allow Shaw a rest; 6. Jack Grealish One nice dribble after replacing Rashford; 6.