sport news PLAYER RATINGS: Marcus Rashford's confident display STUNNED Wales as Jude ... trends now
A scintillating second-half performance helped England seal top spot in Group B with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Wales in Al Rayyan on Tuesday.
The Three Lions struck twice in two minutes early in the second-half, as Marcus Rashford netted a stunning 50th minute free-kick moments before Phil Foden doubled the lead with a tap-in from close range.
Rashford smashed home a third in the 68th minute to seal the victory and send Gareth Southgate's side into the World Cup knockouts, while Wales crashed out of the tournament. With the final Group B clash done and dusted, Sportsmail has rated each player's performance at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
Marcus Rashford scored twice in the second half to help England beat Wales 3-0 on Tuesday
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford - 6
Should’ve brought a magazine with him to read in the first half. Didn’t have anything else to do! Never in danger of conceding the four goals that Wales needed. Stayed alert in the second half to keep his clean sheet.
Defenders
Kyle Walker - 7
First start since October 2 and looked fit. Gives Southgate a nice problem for the knockout stages – does he go with terrific Trippier or wonderful Walker? Manchester City man didn’t do himself any harm here.
John Stones - 7
His early coolness on the ball was reassuring, especially as he was surrounded by red shirts. Stones gives off that aura of confidence and seems to enjoy partnering Maguire. Wales hardly troubled either of them.
Harry Maguire - 7.5
Southgate may have been tempted to rest Maguire but with 6ft 5in Moore starting for Wales, his aerial dominance was deemed necessary. Given the debate surrounding him, Maguire’s given a good account of himself in these group stages.
John Stones (L) and Harry Maguire (R) defended well to keep a second successive clean sheet
Luke Shaw - 7
The USA targeted his side to good effect but this was the Shaw Yank Redemption. He was much more safe and secure on England’s left wing, despite having Bale for company in the first half. Flew forward when he could.
Midfielders
Declan Rice - 7
Nobody is better at winning the ball back than Rice, who stole possession prior to Rashford’s early chance. Once the win was as good as England’s, he was given a well-earned rest and substituted for his Euro 2020 partner Phillips.
Jordan Henderson - 7
Southgate swapped Henderson for Mason Mount after seeing England lost the midfield battle to the USA. Henderson’s drive and determination was infectious in the middle of the park. England benefitted from his experience.
Jude Bellingham - 7.5
Beautiful slick play from the 19-year-old to create a first-half chance for Foden – the best passing move of the match. After a poor game against the USA, the mature midfielder shrugged off that performance and stood up here.
Jude Bellingham, 19, impressed again for England with trickery and clever passing in midfield
Forwards
Phil Foden - 8.5
The clamour for Foden was considerable. Southgate listened, started him, and he took his chance to impress. Trickiness won England the free-kick from which Rashford scored, and lovely to see Foden rewarded with a goal of his own.
Marcus Rashford - 9
Tried to lift the ball over Ward when one-on-one but Wales’ goalkeeper denied him. No stopping his free-kick, though. Scored his second after switching from the left wing to the right.
