Evening Standard
·14 July 2024
England player ratings vs Spain: Harry Kane well off the pace again; Jordan Pickford heroics in vain
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Evening Standard
·14 July 2024
Kyle Walker dragged out of position for both Spain goals on agonising night in Berlin
England lost a second consecutive European Championship Final as Mikel Oyarzabal’s 86th-minute winner earned Spain a 2-1 victory in Berlin.
Substitute Oyarzabal nipped ahead of Marc Guehi to tap in Marc Cucurella’s cross and break English hearts.
After a tense and cagey first half, Spain broke the deadlock within two minutes of the restart when Nico Williams finished calmly from Lamine Yamal’s pass.
Spain missed a flurry of chances to add to their lead and, characteristically, England had their moment, substitute Cole Palmer equalising with a low shot from 25 yards.
Here’s how we rated the England players…
Twice saved brilliantly from teenager Yamal in the second half to keep England in the game. Could not fault him for either goal, which were the result of defensive lapses.
Kyle Walker 4
Dragged out of position for both Spain goals. Sucked in by Alvaro Morata for the opener, leaving Williams alone at the back post, and could not stop Cucurella’s cross for the winner.
John Stones 7
Largely dealt with Spain’s physical captain Morata but occasionally pulled out of position by Yamal, Williams and Dani Olmo. A marauding run from the back was one of the highlights of the first half for England.
Marc Guehi 5
Oyarzabal got in front of him to score the winner. Nearly made amends late on but his header was cleared off the line. It was an unfortunate end to what has been a breakthrough tournament for the Crystal Palace centre-half.
Luke Shaw 7
Kept Yamal in check outstandingly for 45 minutes, recalling Ashley Cole against Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2016, but the teenager got the wrong side of him at the start of the second half to set up Spain’s goal.
Declan Rice 6
Came so close to levelling the game when his header was saved by Unai Simon. A bulwark against Spain’s waves of attacks but occasionally slow to move the ball.
Kobbie Mainoo 5
A willing runner but the teenager was often chasing shadows and struggled to get on the ball. Spain's midfield was a challenge too far, even after the loss of Rodri at half-time.
Jude Bellingham 7
Made the equaliser with a deft touch into Palmer. Sacrificed himself for the team with another disciplined performance from the left flank and nearly scored with an outstanding turn and shot.
Bukayo Saka 6
Came alive during the outstanding counter-attack which led to the equaliser, beating Cucurella and squared to Bellingham. But that moment aside, he was quiet.
Phil Foden 5
Forced an easy save from Unai Simon at the end of the first half. Worked hard for the team but struggled to make a lasting impact at No10.
Well off the pace in another leggy performance and hooked on the hour. At some point in the future, he will surely admit to not being fully fit this summer.
Subs
Ollie Watkins (Kane 60’) 6
The semi-final hero stretched the Spain defence, which helped make space for Bellingham, Foden and Palmer, but had no sights of goal.
Cole Palmer (Mainoo 70’) 8
Looked poised to write himself into English football history with an outstanding low finish from 25 yards, but it wasn’t to be.
Ivan Toney (Foden 88’) N/A
Not enough time to make another stirring impact from the bench.
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