England might be out of the World Cup, but L'Equipe's player ratings from the quarter-final defeat to France emphasise just how important Bukayo Saka has been during the tournament.
Arsenal star Saka was heartbroken at Euro 2020 after missing the decisive penalty in England's final defeat against Italy, but has responded brilliantly. The 21-year-old scored twice in his country's 6-2 group stage victory over Iran and netted against Senegal in the last 16 before winning the first penalty against France in Al Khor.
French publication L'Equipe is known for taking no prisoners with its ratings, handing Liverpool's Luis Diaz a score of 3/10 for his performance in the Champions League final and setting a very high bar for any player to get a perfect 10. According to them, though, Saka was England's best player in their exit and one of the best on the pitch full stop.
Saka was the only member of England's team to score seven out of 10. The remainder of the team scored fives and sixes with the exception of Phil Foden, whose 4/10 rating was the joint-lowest of any player on the pitch along with Theo Hernandez.
France match-winner Olivier Giroud also scored seven, as did Antoine Griezmann, who set up both of Les Bleus' goals to become their all-time assist leader. However, it was goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who led the way with eight after producing a string of saves, including a late fingertip stop to deny Jude Bellingham.
Didier Deschamps was also given a seven by L'Equipe, despite being moments away from withdrawing Giroud when the veteran popped up with the winner. Meanwhile, England boss Gareth Southgate - who waited until the 79th minute to make his first substitutions - got a five.
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Referee Wilton Sampaio scored four after making some unpopular decisions at Al Bayt Stadium. The official failed to give a foul on Saka during the move which saw Aurelien Tchouameni score France's opener, while members of Deschamps' side were unhappy with the award of England's second penalty - missed by Harry Kane - after a VAR check.
"It's pointless me going into that [the referee's performance]," Southgate said. "I'd rather talk about our players. Congratulations to France, they know they've been in a hell of a game and we've given a top team a game and I don't think we could've done anymore."
FA chief Mark Bullingham, meanwhile, has praised the efforts of the coaching team. "Like all England fans we feel the pain of losing a quarter-final, along with the coaches, players and support team who are hurting this morning," he said in a statement.
"Gareth and Steve (Holland) prepared the team exceptionally well throughout the tournament. The players were committed to winning the trophy and were very well led by Harry Kane. But sport can have fine margins and on the day, against the current world champions, it was not to be."
