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Every player graded as England earn a famous World Cup win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium.
Everybody knew that it would be difficult for England to win at the Azteca and it was exactly as tough as advertised - but the Three Lions made it through thanks to a heroic rearguard performance. Mexico had the altitude on their side, but England had raw attitude on theirs. This will go down as one of their great World Cup wins.
It was a classic match which featured a number of immense individual performances. England’s defence rose high above the doubts to secure an improbable and exhausting victory, and several members of the back line score high marks in our latest player ratings – but we also get to give an England player a perfect 10 for the first time in the tournament. Let’s see who shone and perhaps who struggled…
Pickford among the heroes as England’s defence stands tall
Jordan Pickford will pick up his 90th cap in the quarter-final against Norwayplaceholder image
Jordan Pickford will pick up his 90th cap in the quarter-final against Norway | Getty Images
Jordan Pickford – 8/10: How badly did England – and Pickford himself – need this? The Everton goalkeeper had been shaky for the first four matches, and looked like a player in search of a big performance to settle his nerves. He got it at the Azteca. Two superb first-half saves from Raúl Jiménez headers were the highlights but it was his resolute command of the penalty area in the second half, when he dealt with a ceaseless string of high balls into the box, that carried England over the line.
Nico O’Reilly – 6: Very few of Mexico’s attacks came down their right flank until the late barrage began, and the result was that O’Reilly wasn’t actually tested all that often – he generally did his defensive work well and while he wasn’t given much license to roam forward he did at least hit the post with a deflected shot early in the second half. Given the intensity of the affair, the Manchester City man enjoyed a curiously quiet evening.
Marc Guéhi – 8: Quietly one of England’s best performers of the World Cup thus far, Guéhi was excellent yet again at the Azteca. He won every one-on-one, consistently put himself in position to clear dangerous balls in or to block shots, and provided a calm base of possession under constant pressure. The kind of player who elevates England’s defence time and again.
Ezri Konsa – 7: We have to dock some marks for the poor clearance which led directly to Julián Quiñones’ goal, but Konsa was immense in the second half. Like Guéhi, he won every duel, made several crucial blocks and kept his positional discipline – and a cool head – under incredibly trying circumstances.
Jarell Quansah – 4: It’s a pity that Quansah’s performance will be remembered for the (deserved) red card, because prior to that rather rash challenge he had played very well and kept Jesús Gallardo, a key attacking outlet for Mexico, pretty quiet for the first half. As it is, we have little choice but to give him our lowest grade but it’s only fair to note the good work that preceded a mistake which was, mercifully, easily forgiven thanks to the final result.
Brilliant Bellingham leads England into the quarter-finals
Bellingham now has 10 goals for England with four coming at this World Cupplaceholder image
Bellingham now has 10 goals for England with four coming at this World Cup | Getty Images
Declan Rice – 6: The very nature of a match which largely bypassed the midfield meant that Rice wasn’t anywhere near as heavily involved as he usually is – 36 touches must be close to his lowest mark as an England footballer for a completed match – but he stuck to his task and found space for the surging run which teed up England’s opener.
Elliot Anderson – 7: Anderson was really an extra centre-back for much of this match and like Rice was barely able to get the ball down and play (his passes and runs actually combined to take the back 11m closer to England’s own goal in total) but he was immense at the back. Anderson attempted five tackles and won them all, found himself in eight one-on-one duels and won seven. The fact that he hardly touched the ball in Mexican territory isn’t really relevant given the context.
Anthony Gordon – 9: Give Gordon some space to work with and he’s a completely different player from the winger who can get bogged down against low blocks. Gordon won the decisive penalty, showed tremendous persistence to keep the ball moving forward in the build-up to the second goal, and ran himself into the ground chasing lost causes and tracking back to help out his left-back. An enormous performance and perhaps his best yet for his country.
Jude Bellingham – 10: Remember when some people tried to argue that Bellingham shouldn’t start for England? Try not to listen to any of them ever again. The Real Madrid man won the game, not only scoring twice but demonstrating a level of poise and technical class which outshone every other player on the pitch. How many times did he turn high-pressure situations in which he was closed down by two or even three defenders into attacking opportunities? Absolutely magnificent from the first whistle to the last.
Bukayo Saka – 7: Saka was scarcely involved for long periods and touched the ball fewer times than any other player who started the match, but he made at least one of those touches count when he teed up Bellingham’s opener with a fine cross. He still doesn’t look completely fit, but he managed to contribute when it mattered most.
Harry Kane – 7: In many ways, this wasn’t a great performance by Kane. After all, he conceded an avoidable penalty (which may have felt harsh but was probably a fair decision) and was responsible for quite a few dicey first touches – but he also scored from the spot when he was handed his one real chance and showed tremendous awareness and composure to play Bellingham in for the second goal. Kane always seems to find a way.
Burn immense as England’s bench gets the job done
Dan Burn throws himself in front of Álvaro Fidalgo's shotplaceholder image
Dan Burn throws himself in front of Álvaro Fidalgo's shot | Getty Images
John Stones (on for Saka 57’) – 7: Stones only actually touched the ball eight times but five of them were clearances, a stat which includes the crucial (if rather nerve-wracking) late block which turned the ball just wide of the post in the dying moments.
Dan Burn (on for Anderson 75’) – 8: This was exactly why Burn was in the squad. As England packed the box and forced Mexico to go wide and fling crosses in, Burn stood tall – well, even taller than usual – to head everything away. Two brilliant blocks on goal-bound shots helped England to hold out when under siege, as well. This may be all that Burn does this tournament, but it was an absolutely vital contribution.
Djed Spence (on for O’Reilly 75’) – 7: Spence has come in for a lot of criticism so far this tournament but stuck to his task with impressive resolve after coming on, throwing himself in front of crosses when he couldn’t shut down the angle. A truly big-hearted display in the dying minutes.
Morgan Rogers (on for Kane 90’) – 6: Rogers was brought on to run hard for 10 minutes and did exactly what was asked of him, working with Bellingham to keep the ball pinned in the Mexican half on a couple of crucial occasions.
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