While England’s World Cup ended in disappointment, third place marked their best finish since 1966.
The Three Lions secured the bronze medal with a 6-4 win over France in Miami, Florida, having been beaten 2-1 by Argentina in Atlanta, Georgia.
Now the dust has settled, Standard Sport ranks the full 26-man squad on their performances across the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico from best to worst, starting with the obvious.
1. Jude Bellingham
Hit a higher level at this World Cup than any England player ever has in a major tournament in the national team’s history, and certainly since Sir Bobby Charlton in 1966. Scored twice at the Estadio Azteca, twice to defeat Norway in the quarter-final, and netted one of the great solo goals against France. Outscored by only Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe at the tournament.
2. Harry Kane
The captain’s goals slowed as the tournament wore on, but Kane scored six goals including saving his country against DR Congo in the round of 32. Led from the front, as he always does, and finally forged an on-field chemistry with Bellingham.
3. Djed Spence
Enjoyed one of the quickest and most remarkable redemption arcs from a footballer in living memory. A controversial pick in the first place, Spence was error-prone in Group L but the knockout stages brought out a different animal. An attacking threat at full-back, but also defensively diligent, making the most tackles in a World Cup for England since Ashley Cole in 2002.
4. Elliot Anderson
The new Manchester City signing was relentless all summer, a constant thorn in the side of any opponent. Extremely reliable at turning over possession and covering every blade of grass. A top player.
5. Anthony Gordon
Said his first two appearances at this World Cup were a failure but used them as fuel and it worked. Got better as the games became harder, and stayed ice-cool to put England ahead in their semi-final against Argentina.
6. Bukayo Saka
Admitted afterwards that he had wanted to play more, but Thomas Tuchel had to manage his minutes and fitness carefully. His hat-trick against France saw him finish the World Cup with three goals and three assists despite starting just three matches.
7. Jordan Pickford
The Everton goalkeeper received some stick for not saving Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser in the semi-final, but in truth this summer was just the latest tournament when England’s No1 made a string of important stops and barely made a mistake. Vital again.
8. John Stones
The 32-year-old put in a nervy performance in the opening game against Croatia, and the immediate reaction was for his position in the team to be called into question. Once he was dropped and then came back into the team, Stones was far more assured. Had repaid Tuchel’s faith in picking him by the end.
9. Ezri Konsa
Like Stones, grew into it. Displayed a real ability to turn out and keep the ball when being pressed. A goal in the third-place play-off will have been a nice treat with which the end the tournament.
10. Declan Rice
In truth, he looked shattered for the vast majority of the summer due to Arsenal’s draining season and the neural pain he has been dealing with since December. Corner deliveries were iffy but still provided two assists. Scored his first major tournament goal in the bronze-medal match.
11, Marc Guehi
A steady tournament from the central defender. Not always dominant in the air but defended well in some crunch moments in key games.
12. Morgan Rogers
Unspectacular but will have impressed his new club Chelsea, who he is joining for £117million. A handy support act in the final third.
13. Dan Burn
Deserved to rank higher but didn’t play enough to justify it. When called upon, Big Dan Burn (BDB) was there to hoof and head the ball clear late on in knockout games.
14. Nico O’Reilly
The Man City man did not stand out particularly but was calm and assured when playing at both left-back and in midfield.
15. Marcus Rashford
In some games, such as DR Congo, he was hopeless. In others, such as Croatia and France, you wondered why he doesn’t start every game. Some magnificent moments but inconsistent.
16. Eberechi Eze
Graceful and a helpful different option off the bench when used, which wasn’t all that often.
17. Reece James
OK when he did play but simply couldn’t stay fit. That was always the risk when Tuchel replaced injury Tino Livramento with centre-back Trevoh Chalobah: that they would be left without a right-back if James got injured. He inevitably did.
18. Noni Madueke
A risk-taking winger who tries to be positive — but his end product was simply not up to World Cup standards.
19. Jarell Quansah
Deserved his red card against Mexico but had played well against Panama and within the Mexico game up to that point.
20. Dean Henderson
There were so many chances for both teams in that bronze-medal match that you were left concluding the goalkeeper had shipped four goals in a single half of football yet had actually played quite well.
21. Ollie Watkins
Didn’t play as much as he’d have liked. Didn’t take his opportunity when he did.
22. Jordan Henderson
The extent to which he was there largely to gee up the team rather than play only grew when he fell on his arm celebrating the Mexico win and was ruled out for the foreseeable.
23. Ivan Toney
The Al Ahli striker was barely used but looked behind the pace of the game when he was.
24. Trevoh Chalobah
Played about five minutes in the third-place play-off after being called up late for the injured Tino Livramento.
25. James Trafford
Never played.
26. Kobbie Mainoo
Didn’t play a single minute either. That’s harder to take for a midfielder than for the third-choice goalkeeper.
