ENGLAND reached the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute goal in a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands.
It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?
SunSport’s Tom Barclay ruled Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.
Jordan Pickford: 7
Bigger goalkeepers may have been stronger on Xavi Simons’ first goal – although that was hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.
Kyle Walker: 7
Looked fresh after some heavy-handed displays and bombed at times in the first half despite his role on the right of the back three. The last attack on Cody Gakpo was accurate.
John’s Stones: 7
Strong in possession of the ball. He appears to have benefited from regular game time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in recent months.
Marc Guehi: 6
He returned to the team after a suspension prevented him from playing against Switzerland. He had the unenviable task of setting up big man Wout Weghorst after the break.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling proficiently. Less impact after the break, he had a goal disallowed for offside and received a yellow card.
Declan rice: 6
He lost possession of the ball with Simons’ first goal, but grew in the game, cleaning up when necessary. Bad pass when Kane was free midway through the second half.
Kobbie Mainoo: 8
He was the youngest England player to play in a major tournament semi-final, at 19 years and 82 days, and went on a rampage in the first half. Big breakthroughs, vital attacks and his interaction with Foden was a joy.
Kieran Trippier: 6
We all already know he’s playing out of position, so again he was limited attackingly and reliable defensively. Replaced at half-time by the more natural Shaw.
Phil Foden: 7
The first 45 minutes were by far their best half of the tournament. I thought he had scored when his shot was deflected by Denzel Dumfries and hit the post with a crunch. But he was then surprisingly replaced.
Jude Bellingham: 5
Back to the place where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact in his old stomping ground. Fortunately, he wasn’t the one who was replaced.
Harry Kane: 6
He won and dispatched the penalty to become the tournament’s top scorer with three goals. He looked more mobile initially, but was still very tired after the break and was withdrawn.
SUBS
Luke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6
It felt safe for a man who had been away for so long.
Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN
Surprisingly, given Ivan Toney’s endorsement as a replacement striker as Southgate looked for more pace at the back. Brilliant finish from the corner to win the game – you couldn’t ask for more from him.
Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7
He had his big chance in the final minutes, but shot horribly wide – but then set up Watkins for his wonderful winner.
Gareth Southgate: 8
His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped them win there, and here his team finally played some great football in the first half. The team collapsed again as the game progressed and you feared the worst – but it has to be said that his decision to sign Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.
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