England Ratings: Disappointing Draw, Foden Disappears
England's disappointing 0-0 draw against the USA in their second World Cup group game left fans frustrated and provided plenty of talking points. While the Three Lions dominated possession, they lacked the cutting edge to break down the resilient American defense. The game also saw the underwhelming performance of Phil Foden, who was a shadow of his usual self.
Here is a breakdown of the England players' performances, with ratings based on their individual contribution to the game:
Goalkeeper:
- Jordan Pickford (6/10): Made a crucial save in the first half to deny Christian Pulisic, but was relatively untested throughout the game. His distribution was accurate, but he didn't have much opportunity to showcase his usual confident presence.
Defense:
- Kyle Walker (7/10): Solid defensively and provided some dangerous overlaps going forward. He showed his experience and ability to handle the tricky American wingers.
- John Stones (7/10): Commanding at the back, Stones was composed and rarely made any mistakes. He was a key player in ensuring England kept a clean sheet.
- Harry Maguire (6/10): A mixed bag. He won the majority of his aerial duels and was assured in possession, but did make some errors in judgment, especially in the first half.
- Luke Shaw (6/10): Offered decent support going forward, but his defensive work was a bit inconsistent. His passing was precise, but he struggled to get involved in the attacking phases as much as he would have liked.
Midfield:
- Declan Rice (7/10): Excellent in midfield, Rice provided a strong defensive presence and controlled the tempo of the game. His passing was sharp and accurate, and he showed a willingness to break forward.
- Jude Bellingham (7/10): Another impressive performance from the young midfielder. Bellingham consistently won the ball back in midfield, and his energy was contagious. He played with a maturity beyond his years and was a driving force in England's possession-based game.
- Mason Mount (5/10): Had some good moments, but his influence on the game was minimal. He struggled to impose himself on the match, and his passing was too often wayward.
Attack:
- Bukayo Saka (6/10): A constant threat on the right flank, Saka showed pace and skill, but was frustratingly unable to find the final pass. He provided a lot of width but couldn't find the decisive moment to unlock the American defense.
- Harry Kane (6/10): Led the line well, showing his usual strength and hold-up play, but didn't get a clear sight of goal. He worked tirelessly but was starved of service by his teammates.
- Phil Foden (4/10): A disappointing performance from Foden. He looked lost and uninspired, failing to create any meaningful opportunities for himself or his teammates. His dribbling was off, and his passing lacked precision. He was substituted in the 64th minute, and this was a clear signal of his underwhelming performance.
Substitutes:
- Raheem Sterling (6/10): Added pace and directness upon his introduction, but couldn't find the killer instinct to score. He showed glimpses of his usual threat, but ultimately couldn't turn the tide.
- Jack Grealish (5/10): Came on late and tried to inject some creativity, but his impact was minimal. He had one good run that was stopped by a timely tackle.
- Marcus Rashford (5/10): Came on in the final minutes, but it was too late for him to make a difference. He was only able to make a couple of runs before the final whistle.
Overall:
The draw against the USA was a disappointing result for England. While they dominated possession, they lacked the sharpness and creativity to truly trouble the American defense. The performance of Phil Foden was particularly underwhelming, and it is a concern that he seemed so out of sorts. Despite the draw, England still have a good chance to qualify for the knockout rounds, but they will need to be more clinical and decisive in their final group game against Wales.
FAQs:
Q: Why did England struggle to create chances against the USA?
A: While they had more possession, England lacked the cutting edge in the final third. They struggled to find a way to break down the USA's compact defense. Their passing was often too slow or inaccurate, and their attacking play lacked any real spark.
Q: How did Phil Foden's performance compare to his usual form?
**A: ** Foden looked lost and uninspired, a far cry from the usual attacking prowess that he brings to Manchester City. His dribbling was off, and his passing lacked precision, suggesting that he may be lacking confidence or sharpness.
Q: Did the substitutions help England to improve their performance?
A: The substitutions did add some fresh energy and pace to the England attack, but they couldn't find the spark to unlock the American defense. While Sterling and Rashford had some good moments, they were unable to turn the game around.
Q: What are the implications of this draw for England's World Cup campaign?
A: While the draw is a setback, England still have a good chance to qualify for the knockout rounds. They need to beat Wales in their final group game to secure their place in the last 16. However, a defeat against Wales could see them eliminated, so there is still a lot at stake.
Q: What can England do to improve their performance in the remaining games?
A: England needs to be more clinical in the final third. Their passing needs to be sharper and more precise, and they need to find ways to create more dangerous opportunities in front of goal. They also need to work on their defensive organization, as they were occasionally vulnerable to American counter-attacks.
Conclusion:
The draw against the USA was a wake-up call for England. They need to improve their attacking play and show more urgency in front of goal. While the World Cup is still wide open, England will need to find a way to overcome their shortcomings if they are to make a serious challenge for the title.
