It was yet more World Cup semi-final heartbreak for England on Wednesday night as they crashed out at the hands of Argentina.
Technically, they still have one game to play… but given Thomas Tuchel has admitted his players would rather do without tomorrow’s third-place play-off with France, it’s only fair we give our verdict now the real stuff is over.
So who was England’s man of the tournament? Who had more to give? And who had a wasted summer?
Daily Mail Sport‘s Chief Football Reporter CRAIG HOPE has run the rule over the entire England squad, and you can make your judgments too with our ratings tool.
It was yet more World Cup semi-final heartbreak for England on Wednesday night as they crashed out at the hands of Argentina
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford looks devastated at full-time in Atlanta – the Everton man had a mixed tournament, but excelled against Mexico
Jordan Pickford – 7/10
Mexico saves were the stuff of legend (Jordan Banks was born) and without them England would have gone home in the last 16.
Argentina looked like being a repeat until he was left horribly exposed by a retreating defence. Shaky start to tournament — was again below his best versus Norway — but produced big saves at big moments. Should remain as No.1.
Reece James – 5
Availability is the best ability and, as perhaps expected and feared, James missed three matches because of a hamstring injury.
When he was on the pitch he did well enough, especially in the semi-final. But he was still below his best on the whole, and fitness issues disrupted the team.
Ezri Konsa – 6
He was Tuchel’s first-choice centre back until going to right back against Norway, and that was his best performance.
His efforts in the middle of the defence had been mixed, evidenced by him not featuring there in the quarters or semis. He didn’t take that chance but was key in the resistance as England struggled amid Norway dominance.
Jarell Quansah – 3
His tournament will be remembered for red-card nightmare in Mexico and he did not feature again because of suspension.
He had been solid against Panama without being spectacular at right back and was doing OK at the Azteca until moment of misjudgement.
Jarell Quansah had been filling in ably at right back against Mexico — until a moment of misjudgement that defined his tournament
John Stones – 6
He was Tuchel’s big project, with the manager insisting on taking him despite not playing at Man City.
Started the tournament but played his way out of the side with shaky display against Croatia. He was then magnificent when coming on in Mexico and returned to the side for quarters and semis. He should have been there all along.
Marc Guehi – 6
He was left out for the opener but soon returned and was England’s most consistent centre back across the tournament.
However, the confidence from those performances should have seen him take charge against Argentina. He was part of the retreat when the team needed him to be more aggressive in playing a higher line.
Dan Burn – 6
It would have been a higher score because when he came on against Mexico and Norway he was immense and was exactly what England needed. His Azteca cameo was heroic.
But limited involvement compared to others and being on the field when Argentina scored twice will be a disappointment for Newcastle defender.
Djed Spence – 7
He’ll be waking up post-tournament hearing Tuchel screaming in his ear. Had a difficult start but, in the knockouts, he recovered to make big contributions.
His athleticism in Mexico was key, just as it was when giving an all-action display from the bench against Norway. He was then England’s best player in the semi-final. Should be proud of his efforts.
Full back Djed Spence showed great commitment against Argentina. He should be proud of his efforts
Nico O’Reilly – 5
It felt as if he was growing into the tournament as well as his left-back role at the point he was dropped for the semi-finals. His overall impact was still way below what his excellent season at Manchester City had us expect, and he played within himself too much.
Did not really suggest he is England’s best left back for years to come.
Declan Rice – 5
Not a good World Cup, Mexico apart. Was dogged by hamstring pain and later illness, which could be offered in mitigation, but he has played like this for England before. Euro 2024 was the same.
Just does not control games and, while effort can never be questioned, England need more in midfield if they’re to beat the best.
Elliot Anderson – 8
Justified his £115m price tag and held England’s midfield together at times. Had the tenacity when needed and, despite questions over English DNA, he showed his technical excellence.
Always tried to take England upfield and the general midfield shortcomings around control were not his fault. He needed help.
Elliot Anderson proved why Manchester City wanted to sign him, showing off his technical excellence in the US
Jordan Henderson – 4
A press-conference Viagra joke that didn’t land, booked as an unused substitute and then shattered his arm in the post-match celebrations — Henderson’s weekend in Mexico City was more eventful than anything he produced on the pitch. That was limited to a six-minute cameo against Panama.
His experience would have been useful in the closing stages of the semi-final. Off-field work is valued and evident, however.
Jude Bellingham – 9
England’s best, no question. Against Panama, Mexico and Norway he was the man who kept his country’s dreams alive. Six goals and all of them at big moments. He was inspirational.
General play could still offer more in terms of midfield control, but what he gives by arriving in the penalty area is irreplaceable. Sadly, it was no surprise his least impactful display, against Argentina, came on the back of the distraction of the off-field comments involving himself and Tuchel. Still, a superstar.
Morgan Rogers – 6
The high was undoubtedly his splendid cross for Gordon’s goal against Argentina, but this was not the World Cup it should have been for the Aston Villa forward.
Losing his place for the opener robbed him of the momentum and confidence he had built in the qualifiers. He had only one shot on target across six appearances (two starts, four as a sub) but that did lead to Bellingham’s winner versus Norway. Needed to do more with the opportunities he had.
Morgan Rogers had a moment to remember against Argentina, laying on Anthony Gordon’s goal with a superb cross. But he will be underwhelmed by his tournament as a whole
Eberechi Eze – 4
Four appearances from the bench and hard to remember much that he did of any great consequence.
Always a diligent runner when brought on late in games, but we did not see the skill and invention that he can offer.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Fitness issues should offer some context, but this was a version of Saka unrecognisable from the player we thought was up there with Kane and Bellingham when it came to being a game-changer.
He did provide three assists, including a lovely cross for the opener in Mexico, but never appeared to fully trust his body. Has a bit to prove when back to full fitness.
Noni Madueke – 3
He gives his all and never shies away, that is to his credit. But when nothing comes from that endeavour, you have to say he has failed in his primary task as a winger — to score or create.
Had plenty of chances but was frustratingly lacking in end product. Didn’t look the class needed.
Noni Madueke always gives his all — but too often he lacked an end product
Anthony Gordon – 7
By his own admission, the first two games didn’t go how he envisaged. He was rightly dropped for the next two but responded in the best way possible with tournament-saving assists for Kane in last 32.
Mexico was arguably the best performance of his career and he followed it up with an assist in the quarters and a goal in the semis.
Marcus Rashford – 4
He was frustrated not to start the tournament having been so bright in the warm-ups and maybe that knocked his belief. He came in for Panama and was purposeful without end product. But his DR Congo display was so ineffective he was not seen again until the last few minutes against Argentina.
He had more to give and will be disappointed in himself as much as anything.
Ivan Toney – 3
A waste of a summer, in reality. Played only one minute at the end of the semi-final. He was here to take a penalty in a shootout that never arrived.
Ollie Watkins – 3
Played only seven minutes and will feel he deserved more, which he did. Could have been an outlet in the semi-final especially, when England were in need of pace in attack to push Argentina back.
Ollie Watkins played for just seven minutes, against Panama. He should have been brought on against Argentina
Harry Kane – 8
After six goals, he was heading for a perfect 10 before fading badly in the quarters and semis. Let us not forget his brilliance in group stage and him rescuing the last-32 tie against DR Congo, but he looked spent after Mexico.
Did not score again and had no shots or touches in the opposition box versus Argentina. Should have been replaced with pace in that game. May be his last World Cup, but he’s an England legend.
Thomas Tuchel – 4
He was brought in for this to be different and, in the end, it was much of the same. His assessment of Euro 2024, when he said England looked too afraid to lose, was sadly prophetic of his own team. And that is on him.
In truth, England never really clicked as a team at this World Cup and were left to rely on periods of group resistance and moments of individual inspiration. Deserves the chance to put that right, but Tournament Tuchel got it wrong when it mattered most.
