PLAYER RATINGS: Marcus Rashford's confident display STUNNED Wales
CHRIS SUTTON’S PLAYER RATINGS: Marcus Rashford’s confident display STUNNED Wales and Jude Bellingham flaunted his bag of tricks in midfield again… but it was sad to see Gareth Bale’s World Cup end in a whimper
- Marcus Rashford’s second-half brace helped England beat Wales 2-0 on Tuesday
- He netted a sublime free-kick just before Phil Foden’s tap-in two minutes later
- Rashford scored his second in the 68th minute to seal a superb win for England
- The Three Lions finished top of Group B as Wales crashed out of the tournament
- Sportsmail has assessed each player’s performance during the World Cup clash
A scintillating second-half performance helped England seal top spot in Group B with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Wales in Al Rayyan on Tuesday.
The Three Lions struck twice in two minutes early in the second-half, as Marcus Rashford netted a stunning 50th minute free-kick moments before Phil Foden doubled the lead with a tap-in from close range.
Rashford smashed home a third in the 68th minute to seal the victory and send Gareth Southgate’s side into the World Cup knockouts, while Wales crashed out of the tournament. With the final Group B clash done and dusted, Sportsmail has rated each player’s performance at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
Marcus Rashford scored twice in the second half to help England beat Wales 3-0 on Tuesday
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford – 6
Should’ve brought a magazine with him to read in the first half. Didn’t have anything else to do! Never in danger of conceding the four goals that Wales needed. Stayed alert in the second half to keep his clean sheet.
Defenders
Kyle Walker – 7
First start since October 2 and looked fit. Gives Southgate a nice problem for the knockout stages – does he go with terrific Trippier or wonderful Walker? Manchester City man didn’t do himself any harm here.
John Stones – 7
His early coolness on the ball was reassuring, especially as he was surrounded by red shirts. Stones gives off that aura of confidence and seems to enjoy partnering Maguire. Wales hardly troubled either of them.
Harry Maguire – 7.5
Southgate may have been tempted to rest Maguire but with 6ft 5in Moore starting for Wales, his aerial dominance was deemed necessary. Given the debate surrounding him, Maguire’s given a good account of himself in these group stages.
John Stones (L) and Harry Maguire (R) defended well to keep a second successive clean sheet
Luke Shaw – 7
The USA targeted his side to good effect but this was the Shaw Yank Redemption. He was much more safe and secure on England’s left wing, despite having Bale for company in the first half. Flew forward when he could.
Midfielders
Declan Rice – 7
Nobody is better at winning the ball back than Rice, who stole possession prior to Rashford’s early chance. Once the win was as good as England’s, he was given a well-earned rest and substituted for his Euro 2020 partner Phillips.
Jordan Henderson – 7
Southgate swapped Henderson for Mason Mount after seeing England lost the midfield battle to the USA. Henderson’s drive and determination was infectious in the middle of the park. England benefitted from his experience.
Jude Bellingham – 7.5
Beautiful slick play from the 19-year-old to create a first-half chance for Foden – the best passing move of the match. After a poor game against the USA, the mature midfielder shrugged off that performance and stood up here.
Jude Bellingham, 19, impressed again for England with trickery and clever passing in midfield
Forwards
Phil Foden – 8.5
The clamour for Foden was considerable. Southgate listened, started him, and he took his chance to impress. Trickiness won England the free-kick from which Rashford scored, and lovely to see Foden rewarded with a goal of his own.
Marcus Rashford – 9
Tried to lift the ball over Ward when one-on-one but Wales’ goalkeeper denied him. No stopping his free-kick, though. Scored his second after switching from the left wing to the right. Versatile and full of confidence!
Harry Kane – 7.5
Still no goals at this World Cup, but I have every faith he’ll get on the scoresheet soon enough. Lovely low cross for Foden to score. He’s not only a great goalscorer – he’s a creator supreme. England’s Mr Undroppable.
Gareth Southgate’s decision to start Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford together proved crucial
Manager
Gareth Southgate – 8
Listened to the criticism after the USA stalemate and started Foden. England finally made their control count in the second half and top the group after an easy night.
Substitutes
Callum Wilson (for Kane 58) – 6
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Walker 57) – 6
Kalvin Phillips (for Rice 58) – 6
Kieran Trippier (for Shaw 65) – 6
Jack Grealish (for Rashford 75) – 6
Rashford opened the scoring with a great free-kick before bagging a brace in the 68th minute
WALES
Goalkeeper
Danny Ward – 3
Filling in for the suspended Wayne Hennessey. Did well to deny Rashford early on. But awful attempts at saves in the second half, with England’s third goal flying through his legs.
Defenders
Neco Williams – 5
After two appearances as a left wing-back, Williams started at right back. But after getting his head in the way of Rashford’s rasping shot, he was replaced by Roberts as a concussion substitute.
Chris Mepham – 4
Thankful to see his goalkeeper come to the rescue when he couldn’t stop Kane’s pass from getting behind Wales’ back line. But Wales imploded in the second half.
Joe Rodon – 4
Wales’ game plan was to defend deep and hope for a late winner. It didn’t work. Rodon was up against it as a result and given a troubling night by Rashford and Co.
Ben Davies – 3
Tasked with taking care of Rashford but it was a losing battle. Lost the ball in the build-up to England’s second goal. Night to forget for Davies and Wales.
Welsh star Ben Davies defended well in the first half but was at fault for England’s second goal
Midfielders
Ethan Ampadu – 5
Not easy going up against an England midfield of Henderson, Rice and Bellingham. Tried to protect his defence with Allen but as in the Iran game, Wales were overrun.
Joe Allen – 5
Preferred over Harry Wilson, the so-called ‘Welsh Xavi’ or ‘Pembrokeshire Pirlo’ was given the chance to show why he won such illustrious nicknames in the past. Sliced one shot well wide.
Aaron Ramsey – 5
One last chance to give us a glimpse of the talented footballer we know he is. Sadly Ramsey doesn’t have the legs he once did and couldn’t influence the play enough for his country here.
Speedy winger Daniel James struggled to hurt the Three Lions’ defence with his pace in behind
Forwards
Daniel James – 4
Looked lonely out on that left wing as England controlled this game from start to finish. Hard to be a ball carrier when your team don’t have the ball. Walker took care of him nicely.
Gareth Bale – 2
Sad to see what is likely to be Bale’s final World Cup end in such anonymity. I can hardly remember him touching the ball! Replaced at half time by Johnson, seemingly after a knock. Not his night.
Kieffer Moore – 5
Wales’ lone striker at the head of their 4-2-3-1 set-up. They didn’t play to his strengths at all or get runners around him. Defeat cannot be blamed on Moore alone.
Manager
Rob Page – 2
‘You’re going home in the morning,’ sang England’s supporters. Yes they are. Wales didn’t show any intent here. Tactics were all wrong and they didn’t give themselves a chance.
Star forward Gareth Bale struggled to make a major impact before his substitution at half-time
Substitutes
Connor Roberts (for Williams 35) – 5
Brennan Johnson (for Bale 45) – 5
Joe Morrell (for Davies 59) – 5
Harry Wilson (for James 77)
Rubin Colwill (for Allen 81)
Referee
Slavko Vincic 6
Stern Slovenian’s only other World Cup game was Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia. Never looked like another upset was on the cards. Easy enough evening for Vincic to officiate.
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