England Continue Perfect Start to World Cup 2026 Qualifying
England maintained their 100% record in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, securing a 2-0 win over Serbia at Wembley Stadium. BBC Sport reporter Alex Howell evaluates how each England player performed, highlighting standout performances and moments that defined the match.
Starting XI Player Ratings
- Jordan Pickford (6/10): England’s goalkeeper had little to do as Serbia rarely threatened his goal.
- Reece James (6/10): Operated mainly in attacking positions, contributing to England’s dominance on the right flank.
- Ezri Konsa (6/10): Comfortable defensively, kept play moving from the back and was rarely tested.
- John Stones (6/10): Stepped into midfield when needed, forming a strong partnership with Konsa.
- Nico O’Reilly (7/10): Enjoyed a confident debut. His movement into midfield created England’s opening goal, and he nearly added another with a deflected cross. The 20-year-old left-back has a chance to compete for a starting spot at the World Cup.
- Elliot Anderson (7/10): Controlled the base of midfield with composure, reinforcing his status as a near-certainty for a starting role.
- Declan Rice (6/10): Had a quieter game but contributed high-quality deliveries from corners and free-kicks.
- Morgan Rogers (7/10): Sparked attacks with excellent combinations, particularly linking up with Saka and Rashford.
- Marcus Rashford (7/10): Produced exciting runs and skillful moments, including a memorable nutmeg on a defender.
- Bukayo Saka (7/10): Scored England’s opening goal, continuing his strong partnership with Reece James down the right.
- Harry Kane (6/10): Dropped deep to influence play, delivering key passes but missing a notable header.
Substitutes Player Ratings
- Eberechi Eze (7/10): Came off the bench to add flair, scoring a stunning curled finish and energizing England’s attack.
- Phil Foden (7/10): Played as a striker and contributed a late assist to Eze on a counter-attack.
- Jude Bellingham (6/10): Linked play effectively and created opportunities, though had limited impact.
- Jordan Henderson (6/10): Took the armband and played deeper, helping England close out the match.
- Adam Wharton (N/A): Late cameo with minimal time to influence the game.
Player of the Match
Eberechi Eze was voted player of the match by BBC Sport readers, earning an average rating of 7.50. Close behind were Bukayo Saka (7.22), Elliot Anderson (7.07), and Nico O’Reilly (6.91).
The match highlighted England’s attacking depth and defensive stability, with key contributions from both debutants and established stars.
Fan Ratings Summary
- Eberechi Eze: 7.50
- Bukayo Saka: 7.22
- Elliot Anderson: 7.07
- Nico O’Reilly: 6.91
- Phil Foden: 6.77
- Declan Rice: 6.62
- Morgan Rogers: 6.52
- Ezri Konsa: 6.47
- John Stones: 6.41
- Reece James: 6.36
- Jordan Pickford: 6.34
- Harry Kane: 6.28
- Jude Bellingham: 6.12
- Marcus Rashford: 6.11
- Adam Wharton: 5.84
- Jordan Henderson: 5.57
Key Takeaways
- Nico O’Reilly impressed on his England debut and could push for the left-back spot at the World Cup.
- Eberechi Eze continues to make an impact off the bench, combining skill and finishing ability.
- Bukayo Saka maintains excellent form, strengthening England’s attacking options alongside Reece James.
With a dominant performance and crucial goals, England looks set to continue their perfect qualifying record for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Leave a Reply