England clinched their spot at the 2026 World Cup with a comfortable win over Latvia on Tuesday evening.
The Starting Lineup
- England's number one – Pulled off a few of excellent stops in the second half to maintain his impressive clean sheet run. It's now nine straight in a row. 6.5
- The defender – Has adapted to international football with ease. More challenging tests are coming, of course, but a positive start to his England career. 7
- Manchester City's centre-back – Two games in five days will do the Manchester City defender a world of good. Still one of the first names on the team-sheet, fitness permitting. 7
- Ezri Konsa – Chosen ahead of his competitor and was flawless. Executed an outstanding last-ditch recovery tackle in the second half to boot. 7
- Myles Lewis-Skelly – Looked a little ring rusty at times, understandable given his limited game time at Arsenal. An promising few months ahead. 6
- Newcastle's star – Seems undroppable in this England team at the moment. Looks tailored for this level and has developed an productive partnership with Rice. 7
- Declan Rice – Thriving in his number eight role. The mainstay of England's midfield is showing his creative abilities now. Becoming a true all-round midfielder. 7
- The forward – Not as impactful as he has been in England's wins over previous opponents. The answer will come next month who is the leading candidate of the number 10 shirt. 6
- Arsenal's star – Contributed an setup to his excellent goal against Wales last Thursday. Will be vital to England's hopes next summer. 7.5
- The striker – At his peak. Increased his count for the season to 20 strikes. Has hit the back of the net 76 times for his country. Can he reach 100? 8
- The forward – Sharp finish to start things off for England here in away. Has performed admirably during this break. 7.5
Subs' Impact
- Jordan Henderson (for Rice 60) – Kept play flowing in midfield. 6
- Crystal Palace's star (for Rogers 60) – Excellently taken goal and a menace. 7
- Jarrod Bowen (for Saka 60) – Battles on his hands to be selected when the squad is full. 6
- Newcastle's full-back (for Stones 71) – Predictably, dealt with everything in the air. 6
- Manchester United's star (for Gordon 71) – A quick burst down the left stood out. 6
After their place secured, the team can now turn their attention for next summer with high hopes.
