England Player Ratings vs Iceland: Excellent Foden, Mount among five to get 8 or more

Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka all impressed as England ran out 4-0 victors over Iceland in their UEFA Nations League encounter on Wednesday.

England ended their UEFA Nations League 2020/21 campaign on a strong note as they thrashed Iceland 4-0 at the Wembley Stadium. The hosts dominated possession from the kick-off and managed to find the breakthrough 20 minutes in when Declan Rice headed in a Phil Foden free-kick to score his first-ever goal for England.

Bukayo Saka could have made it 2-0 minutes later, but his scuffed shot was saved. However, England weren’t to be kept quiet for long as Mason Mount turned the ball into the net from close range to make it 2-0 in the 24th minute. The Three Lions continued to dominate proceedings, while Iceland hardly threatened as the game wore on.

The visitors’ task was made much more difficult when Birkir Saevarsson was sent off early in the second period for a second bookable offence. England continued to control the game and added more sheen to the scoreline in the final ten minutes, with Phil Foden grabbing a brace with a couple of fine efforts to leave a mark on the game.

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Here’s how we rated the performances of the England stars on the night against Iceland.

Jordan Pickford: 6/10

Did not have a single save to make on the night, with Iceland hardly threatening the goal. Passed well from the back and the clean sheet will boost his confidence after a rocky few weeks at club level for Everton.

Kyle Walker: 6/10

Picked up an early booking for a strong challenge. But, held his discipline from that point on, keeping things simple while on the ball and curbing his attacking instincts to keep things tight at the back. Did have one hairy moment when he lost his marker leading to a chance for the visitors. Subbed off soon after for Tyrone Mings.

Eric Dier: 7/10

A straightforward outing for the Tottenham Hotspur man at the heart of the backline. Helped build play from the back with his passes, completing 70 out of the 73 he attempted. Swept up any little danger that came his way, finishing the game with three successful aerial duels and four clearances.

Harry Maguire: 8/10

A fine performance from the Manchester United skipper, who was more of a presence in the attacking half than at the back, given how in control England were. Got forward at will and got involved in some neat link-up play with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, almost setting up the latter for a goal.

Won the most aerial duels by any player on the night (10 out of 11), four of which came in the attacking half. Also attempted (112) and completed the most passes (98); played two key passes as well, while having a shy at goal. A confident display.

Kieran Trippier: 7/10

Provided an outlet down the right-hand side, making good attacking runs, while working hard to track back defensively. One moment in the second half where he showed his turn of pace to recover the ball particularly stood out. Ended the game with one key pass.

Declan Rice: 7/10

Got his first goal for England, deflecting Foden’s free-kick early in the first half. In the process, Rice became the first West Ham United player to score for the Three Lions since Matthew Upson in the infamous 4-1 defeat to Germany back in 2010. A solid and reliable presence in the middle of the park, who kept things ticking with his sharp passing, while making a game-high three interceptions.

Mason Mount: 8/10

A lively presence on the pitch, Mount put in one of his finest performances in an England shirt till date. Got forward with intent, linked up impressively with the likes of Foden and Grealish. Reacted well to tuck home England’s second after having had a shot blocked prior to that. Misplaced just four passes all night before making way for Harry Winks.

Bukayo Saka: 8/10

Got a chance at left wing-back with Ben Chilwell injured and the teenage sensation made the most of it. A livewire down the left-hand side, his combination play with Grealish was a joy to watch. Should have done better with a chance in the first period when he scuffed his shot, but did test the goalkeeper with a more powerful effort in the second. Was diligent defensively when needed to be.

Phil Foden: 9/10

Back into the England setup after the controversy in September, Foden sent out a reminder as to why he is regarded as one of the best young talents in the game currently. Caused all sorts of problems to the visitors’ defence with his running and movement.

Set Rice for England’s first of the night with a good free-kick. Forced the Iceland goalkeeper into two saves in the first half, but netted a quickfire double late in the game. Completed all of his attempted six dribbles – the most by any player on the night and made three key passes. A star in the making.

Jack Grealish: 8/10

The star for England in the defeat to Belgium, Grealish continued from where he left off, driving at the defenders each time he got on the ball. Won the free-kick that led to Rice’s opener and continued to pose a danger each time the ball fell to him. Was on the receiving end of some strong challenges from the visitors as a result and had to be subbed off.

Harry Kane: 7/10

The England skipper’s drought in front of goal continued but not for a lack of trying. Carved out spaces for himself and had five shots – most in the game, but couldn’t find the back of the net. While the goal continues to elude him, Kane impressed with his all-round game again, making clever runs and creating chances for his teammates. Got the assist for Mount’s goal and played a game-high four key passes.

Substitutes

Tyrone Mings: 6/10

Replaced Walker in the 64th minute. Kept things tight at the back.

Harry Winks: 7/10

Came on for Mount in the 64th minute. Sharp in his passing, as he created a couple of chances for his teammates and grabbed the assist for Foden’s second of the night.

Jadon Sancho: 7/10

Thrown on in place of Grealish for the final fifteen minutes. A bright cameo from the Borussia Dortmund man. Got the assist for Foden’s first goal.

Tammy Abraham: 5/10

Came on for Kane in the 75th minute. Didn’t do much of note.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles: N/A

Subbed on for Trippier for the final five minutes.