ENGLAND beat Belgium 2-1 at Wembley to go top of Nations League Group two.
Marcus Rashford’s first-half penalty and Mason Mount’s deflected effort after the break saw the Three Lions come from behind after Romelu Lukaku’s 15th minute spot-kick put the visitors ahead.
Kyle Walker was man-of-the match for England against BelgiumCredit: AFP or licensors
Eric Dier had an evening to forget after giving away an early penaltyCredit: Rex Features
Eric Dier’s clumsy foul on Lukaku gave the Inter striker the chance to step up and slot home which he duly did and it set the tone for the Tottenham’s man evening.
Kyle Walker on the right side of the three centre-backs was the other end of the scale with repeated excellent challenges to quell the Belgians’ dangerous attackers.
And here SunSport’s William Pugh rates the individual performances of Gareth Southgate’s men.
JORDAN PICKFORD – 5
Sent the wrong way from the spot by Lukaku for Belgium’s opener.
Not called on much but shut down Yannick Carrasco well when the midfielder was through on goal with 20 minutes to go.
Couple of trademark aerial flaps.
Romelu Lukaku sent Jordan Pickford the wrong way for Belgium’s openerCredit: AFP or licensors
The ex-Man Utd striker scored the penalty he had wonCredit: AFP or licensors
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 5 (replaced by James – 78 mins)
Some good deliveries but allowed Belgium a fair bit of joy down his flank.
Often relied on excellent Walker behind him to bail him out.
Understandably hauled off by Southgate with 12 minutes to go as England tried to shore up the defensive frailty down his side and hold on to the win.
KYLE WALKER – 8
Classy performance slotting in as the right centre-back alongside Dier and Harry Maguire.
Brilliant pace and positional awareness saw him on hand to shut out Belgium on several occasions.
ERIC DIER – 4
Brainless, clumsy foul on Lukaku to give away penalty after 15 minutes which gave Belgium the lead.
Looked jittery from then on and Conor Coady should be disappointed if he is not given a chance in Dier’s place next time out.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
Unremarkable.
But just the right kind of unremarkable. Hassle-free against his imposing former team-mate Lukaku.
KIERAN TRIPPIER – 7
Another professional showing on his un-favoured left side of the defence.
Put in a far better showing than Alexander-Arnold on the opposite flank.
JORDAN HENDERSON – 7 (replaced by Phillips – 65 mins)
Clever movement to entice Thomas Meunier into the foul that won England their first-half penalty.
Good showing before he was replaced for fitness reasons after England took the lead for the first time.
Jordan Henderson won the penalty that Rashford scored before half-timeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
DECLAN RICE – 7
Booked after half-hour for a firm challenge through the back of Axel Witsel.
Handled Kevin De Bruyne efficiently alongside Henderson.
A marauding run late on saw him put one on a plate for Rashford but the United man blazed over from 13 yards.
MASON MOUNT – 5 (replaced by Sancho – 89 mins)
Sloppy first-half. Did nothing to distinguish calls for Jack Grealish to start instead of him.
Touch was poor, looked out of sorts and like he was not enjoying his wide-right role too much.
UNTIL… He switched to the left flank, picked up a cleared cross on the edge of the box and looped one into the far right corner via an enormous deflection off Toby Alderweireld’s shin to put England 2-1 up on 65 minutes.
Mason Mount’s second-half effort ballooned off Toby Alderweireld to give England the lead Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Mount celebrated his fortunate goal with best mate Declan RiceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Topped off an excellent week off the pitch with a solid showing on it.
Bright first half and dispatched penalty with aplomb to draw England level after half an hour.
Gave Belgium headaches throughout but should have wrapped up the win late on when he fired over after Rice’s superb through-ball.
Marcus Rashford scored England’s first-half equaliser with a clinical penaltyCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
The Man Utd forward smashed it to Simon Mignolet’s rightCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN – 6 (replaced by Kane – 65 mins)
Solid hold up play in place of Harry Kane.
Limited to half chances throughout and it just wouldn’t fall for him.
Replaced by Kane as England went 2-1 up.
Subs
Kalvin Phillips – 6
Busy when he came on as he attempted to quell Belgium’s comeback attempt.
Harry Kane – 5
Missed a sitter with ten minutes to go.
Glanced a free header wide from seven yards when he should have buried the excellently delivered corner.
Reece James – 6
Shored things up at right-back after Alexander-Arnold had looked vulnerable going backwards.
Jadon Sancho – 5
Not enough time to make an impact.
Read the full match report from Wembley HERE.
Inter Milan forward Lukaku gave Belgium the lead after 16 minutesCredit: AFP or licensors
Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘absolutely ruins’ England team-mates including Harry Maguire with stunning training goal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
