Heartbreak: England were knocked out of the World Cup against France
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)England’s World Cup dream fell at the quarter-final stage after France won an enthralling game inside the Al Bayt Stadium.
While Gareth Southgate’s side are departing at an earlier juncture than in their last two tournaments, their campaign can surely not be labelled a failure.
England might have been expected to win a group also containing Iran, Wales and the United States but they did so unbeaten having racked up nine goals in the process. Senegal might have been missing their leading player but are still African champions and the manner in which an England team on the attack made light work of them in the last 16 was impressive.
France, meanwhile, had too much quality in the key moments but England took the world champions all the way all while refusing to revert to a more defensive outlook.
Nizaar Kinsella has been following England in Qatar to rate all of Southgate’s players.
Jordan Pickford - 7
The England No1 produced some stunning saves, including a reflex stop from Sardar Azmoun in the opening game and a difficult one to deny Boulaye Dia in the Senegal match.
His ability with the ball helped England build from the back to produce their best possession statistics at a major tournament under Southgate.
Earning his 50th cap in the 2-1 defeat to France, his status as first-choice remains intact but Aaron Ramsdale could push him ahead of Euro 2024.
Aaron Ramsdale - N/A
One of those competing to take Pickford’s spot, the 24-year-old was a good traveller in the group and forged relationships with the other goalkeepers and goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson.
Nick Pope - N/A
Like Ramsdale, he didn’t play any part except use his positivity behind the scenes to push Pickford. The goalkeepers presented as a harmonious group.
Kyle Walker - 7
Walker excelled in his individual battle against Kylian Mbappe. He nullified arguably the world’s best forward. It is the quietest Mbappe has been yet.
With Reece James out injured, the Manchester City defender reasserted his status as England’s first-choice right-back on his return after six weeks out injured.
Kieran Trippier - 6
Played in each of the group games but not in the knockout stage.
Was good going forward against weaker opposition in Iran and Wales and then found himself tested against the United States.
He was solid but Southgate’s decision to drop him for Walker felt justified.
Harry Maguire - 8
The Manchester United defender was under pressure going into the tournament but repaid Southgate’s faith in him.
Not only was he dominant defensively but Maguire was a real attacking force at set-pieces, getting more first contacts on crosses than any other player in Qatar.
John Stones - 7
A good complement to his fellow Yorkshireman, winning his 60th cap during the tournament.
He used his speed to cover for the slower Maguire and showed qualities learned through Pep Guardiola by building from the back well.
His only black mark was not getting back into position quickly enough after the corner that led to Olivier Giroud’s winner in the quarter-final.
Ben White - N/A
Arsenal defender didn’t feature and went home early due to personal reasons.
Southgate denied White had falling out with England assistant Steve Holland.
Eric Dier - 5
The Tottenham defender played 35 minutes across two substitute appearances against Iran and Senegal.
He was part of a sloppy end to the opening game but slotted in well during the last-16 clash.
He was a worthy member of the squad and a good traveller but Southgate was never going to drop his main two central defenders.
Conor Coady - N/A
Didn’t feature but did play a leading role as the moderator for Werewolf, a card game played when the squad were relaxing at the team hotel.
It was a great team bonding exercise and Coady, a popular personality, was at the heart of it.
Luke Shaw - 7
Solid at the back but it was his play in the attack that stood out.
Shaw produced excellent dead-ball deliveries and, particularly against Senegal, linked well with Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham.
He was tested against France with Griezmann drifting to his side to add to Ousmane Dembele’s threat. They pinned him back to stop him from attacking.
Declan Rice - 8
One of the top performers in Qatar, showcasing his belief that he could play at a higher level than he does at West Ham.
He was the deepest midfielder in an attacking line up and had to stop counter-attacks and retain possession for his side, leading him to cover more ground than any other player over his appearances.
Aside from the team’s struggles against the USA, it was a near-flawless tournament.
Jude Bellingham - 9
The 19-year-old has been labelled a future England captain after showing the maturity to play at the highest level.
His surging counter-attack against Senegal was the highlight in a tournament in which he scored a stunning header to kick off the campaign against Iran.
He was the talk of the tournament as scouts from around the world were impressed by his performance level.
Jordan Henderson - 7
His first introduction against the USA helped stabilise the team and he ended up taking Mason Mount’s place for the rest of the competition.
It was an under-rated first cameo that helped England regain control in their worst performance. Henderson would go on to open the scoring against Senegal and helped lift the team to improve their level.
The Liverpool captain forged a new friendship with Bellingham, who is a transfer target for his club.
Mason Mount - 6
The Chelsea midfielder excelled in the opening game despite wasting a chance and being outshone by Bellingham.
He then lost his place after a weak performance against the USA where he struggled with the physicality of their midfield.
Ever the professional, Mount kept working and his run into the box to win a penalty against France could have been a turning point. Unfortunately, we know what happened next.
Kalvin Phillips - 6
Had not started a game all season going into the tournament, so it was little surprise to see him just playing a cameo role.
He set up a goal for Marcus Rashford against Wales and was given a 10-minute appearance at the end of the 3-0 win over Senegal when he helped control the game.
Did what he could with his minutes but didn’t have time to excel.
James Maddison - N/A
A knee injury in Leicester’s final game before the tournament meant he was unavailable for the first two matches.
That left him without time to impress the manager and convince him to bring him on.
Conor Gallagher – N/A
The 22-year-old midfielder will have earned a lot of experience in Qatar and could have been an asset in a physical game against the USA.
He was, however, left to be content with learning from the bench.
Bukayo Saka - 9
The Arsenal winger won a penalty against France and was England’s most dangerous attacker in the quarter-final.
With three goals in the other four games, Saka was England’s joint-top scorer playing in arguably the biggest matches of his career.
The form shown at Arsenal translated completely to the international stage where his dribbling and passing ability were matched by a willingness to work for the team.
He was also the most loved character in the dressing room.
Marcus Rashford - 8
Rashford was the ultimate impact substitute.
He continued his good form with Manchester United and was England’s joint-top scorer in Qatar. That was despite only starting one match against Wales. He scored two in that match and one from the bench against Iran.
He almost kept England in the competition with a good free-kick against France that landed on the top of the net in the 100th minute.
Jack Grealish - 7
The Manchester City winger scored from the bench like Rashford in the opening game against Iran.
He then produced a calming display in the difficult USA match, dribbling and winning fouls to take pressure off his team after being out battled early on.
He played the last 11 minutes against France but couldn’t impact the game. He didn’t start in any of his games but contributed as well as he could be expected to.
Phil Foden - 7
The 22-year-old had fans clamouring for him to start, which he admitted put pressure on him when first introduced against Wales.
That did not stop him from taking his chance, scoring
In the final group match and keeping his place against Senegal and France.
He took Raheem Sterling’s place on the left in the short-term and should keep that place for future matches. He did, however, find it hard to create against a strong France side.
Raheem Sterling - 5
Despite scoring a brilliant goal against Iran, the Chelsea winger would go on to have an anonymous display against the USA.
The most capped player in the squad then had to go home to attend a burglary at his family home.
He missed the Senegal match and was then on the bench against France, leaving him to make just a short cameo in the quarter-final without making an impact.
Harry Kane - 7
The captain was exceptional in his hold-up play and set up three goals during the group stage to match David Beckham’s England record of three assists at a World Cup in 2002.
The wide forwards often pushed beyond him, leaving Kane to effectively drop into the No10 role.
He would score two goals in the knockout stage, but his penalty miss against France will haunt him and England fans for some time to come.
Callum Wilson - 7
The Newcastle striker justified his selection amid immense competition for a supporting role from Ivan Toney, Tammy Abraham and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
He created Grealish’s goal against Iran with a good run and cut-back before linking well as Kane was rested in the second half against Wales.
Will be a frontrunner for future call-ups despite the strength of the other options.
