How Did England Do?

England’s performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals was ‘officially’ the best since winning it in 66, a fabulous free-flowing (all be it pressure off) bronze medal match won against France perhaps helping eliminate some miserable memories of that last 30 minutes verses Argentina in the semi-finals, where a passive and poor English defence crumbled when it mattered most.

Some fans will say that England did well… Others might not be so convinced? As a realist, I wouldn’t have thought it possible to beat Spain if England had got to the final, so we were always going to be second, third, or fourth best, at worst, but a second semi final in three attempts is a pretty good account from a nation that many outside our own isles will now consider is finally amongst the elite ‘regular’ best.

After beating Croatia in what was arguably the competitions best match during the group stages, England were less convincing against Ghana, and Panama.

It took a Harry Kane bullet to rescue embarrassment against Congo, before the performance of their tournament in Mexico, odds against, ten men against the world, the three lions roaring every time Dan Burn headed the ball away, a momentous night in the incredible Azteca which will arguably go down as the greatest away day of all?

Norway felt after the lord mayors show but Jude to the rescue, a world class tournament by him, and whilst for much of the game against Argentina it all looked to be going ok, the failings of that final thirty, whether it be Tuchel’s fault or not, will forever haunt.

England perhaps were good enough to reach the final, but only a fool would think they were ever good enough to win it.

It was bronze after a fabulous festival of football v France, a 6-4 win that gives some hope, that says we can attack after all, but questions on England’s defence remain.

As all good publications often do, I wanted to provide a player by player portrait on who did well and didn’t, so strap in and hear my thoughts on the team that Tuchel took to America (and Mexico).

Jordan Pickford (7 games 8 goals conceded)

The harshest critics will have him perhaps at fault for a couple of goals, Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) and Andreas Schjelderup (Norway) spring to mind, but the best we’ve since Gordon Banks is a steady and reliable goalkeeper who perhaps didn’t get his usual standard of help from the ever-changing defence in front of him? Important saves in all games mean for me he at least earns some praise for his efforts. Rating: 7

Ezri Konsa (7(1) games 1 goal)

He’ll be remembered for the man Thomas Tuchel brought on when replacing goalscorer Anthony Gordon v Argentina, but Konsa actually started every other game, an unspectacular tournament was crowned with a goal against France. Perhaps not at the elite level expected, to appear as much as he did, but he didn’t let the team down and can be proud of his achievements with this England team. Rating: 6

Nico O’Reilly (5(2) games 0 goals)

He went into the competition as Thomas Tuchel’s favoured left back, picked on height and technical ability over the unlucky Lewis Hall, but his defensive attributes were often questioned, which also saw him sacrificed later in games for Djed Spence. Perhaps not the answer to playing left back long term, he is an attacking midfielder by trade, and perhaps out of his depth when matters most. Rating: 5

Declan Rice (7 games 1 goal 1 assist)

Let’s face it, after a monster season with Arsenal, Declan Rice was absolutely knackered. Not that England’s engine wasn’t prepared to put blood, sweat and tears on the line, he gave everything he had, but unfortunately he had little to give. Flashing moments in games weren’t enough, a lovely finish verses France when it hardly mattered, but without a succession plan, he was forced to again play too much football, when a rest might have done him more good. Rating: 6

John Stones (3(2) games 0 goals)

Wasn’t great against Croatia in the opener, came on and produced a memorable performance v Mexico, did well against Norway, but faltered when it mattered most against Argentina. England’s best centre back since Bobby Moore? I love Johnny Stones but perhaps he’s past his best, and his best was really needed in that semi-final defeat. Rating: 6

Marc Guehi (7(1) games 0 goals)

I still don’t know where I am at when it comes to Marc Guehi? What i see, is an intelligent footballer, who plays with composure, who reads the game, but in combat I can’t help feeling like I want from him more? He goes about his business trouble free, but England conceded a lot of goals this tournament, and Guehi at centre half, played a lot of games, whilst not strikingly obvious at doing anything particularly special. Rating: 5

Bukayo Saka (3(4) games 3 goals 3 assists)

As important as Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, for me, in this England team, but Thomas Tuchel wrapped Saka, who didn’t come in to the competition with any credible form, in bubble wrap. So much so he missed out completely in the biggest match of England’s tournament, then answered Tuchel’s concerns with a hat-trick against France. Not used nearly enough, Saka might have been the difference when England really needed an outlet. Rating: 7

Elliot Anderson (7(1) games 0 goals)

Perhaps a bit of marmite is the verdict of Elliot Anderson, who you either love for his efforts, or loathe for the lack of attacking output he brings England’s midfield. Personally, I love him, and I think he had a very good tournament, but in the game he didn’t play, Declan Rice looked his best, and I wonder, could England at times been more adventurous, rather than playing two deep lying defensive orientated stallwarts. Never lacked effort, and broke up opponents possession well, he was brilliant against Messi until a yellow card, where perhaps Tuchel should have had the depth prepared for plan B? Rating: 7

Harry Kane (7 games 6 goals 1 assist)

England’s record goalscorer is arguably the best number nine in the world but other than Elliot Anderson, Harry Kane ran more than any other England player at this tournament, and that is not what a number nine should do. Too often wanting to help out his defence, even the uneducated Donald Trump pointed out that ‘Kane was playing too much defence’, but when called up against Croatia, against Congo, against Mexico, he delivered, the one question raised in the biggest matches against the best opposition at the later stages, we might need from him just that little bit more. Rating: 8

Jude Bellingham (7(1) games 7 goals 1 assist)

No Englishman has ever scored as many goals in a single tournament than Jude Bellingham, no Englishman has ever, probably produced the tournament that Jude Bellingham has. Only 23 years old and he is outrageously good. A player who takes the game by the scruff of the neck, is one that when called upon, will drag you over the line. Important contributions against Croatia, Panama, Mexico, Norway, France, he didn’t have his best game in the semi-final, but that wasn’t for lack of effort, he really is the future of this England team, and it is a right future with him in it. Rating: 10

Marcus Rashford (3(3) games 1 goal 1 assist)

I felt that in 2018 Marcus Rashford perhaps was not used enough, in England’s run to the quarter finals in Qatar, and I can’t help feel that in this very tournament, a touch of Deja vu? Explosive when he wants to be, he’s a nightmare for defenders, but wasn’t used when England had leads in Mexico and v Norway, was only used as a desperate late sub v Argentina. Rashford shown in patches what he could do against Croatia and France, and probably should have been relied on more, an underwhelming use of a star asset from Tuchel. Rating: 7

Trevoh Chalobah (0(1) game 0 goals)

Was drafted in for the injured Tino Livramento but was given only a token gesture by Thomas Tuchel late on during the 6-4 win against France. Chalobah actually got twisted around by Dembele for France’s fourth goal, a player who unfortunately was a bit of a waste of space. Wasn’t used when England needed defenders, during a competition when defensively England weren’t particularly that good. Rating: 2

Dean Henderson (1 game 4 goals conceded)

Second choice goalkeeper, not used upon until the bronze match game and despite making a couple of very good stops to ease some pressure mounting by a French resistance, did concede four goals in his only match, but like Jordan Pickford, was often exposed by a poor defence in front of him. Rating: 4

Jordan Henderson (0(1) game 0 goals)

Picked as a cheerleader and in the age of 26 man squads I don’t dislike that, what I did dislike is him getting injured after falling over a wall when celebrating England’s win in Mexico, and although regularly kitting himself up after, he was clearly unavailable, when the tiring Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson were blowing smoke out of their arses, a proper midfielder needed to be fit and ready to help England get over the line. Henderson’s inclusion didn’t help those matters. Rating: 3

Dan Burn (0(3) games 0 goals)

Just as John Barnes galloped across the Maracanã in 85, Mexico at the Azteca will be forever associated as a Dan Burn masterclass, and I said at the time, ‘if he never does anything for England again, that will do for me’. Forever a legend from his night of headed clearances, he repeated that to a degree against Norway in the quarter finals, but when brought on to do the same against Argentina, he couldn’t repeat the feat, and in the end it was proof, that size, passion, and limited ability, can only get you so far. Rating: 7

Kobbie Mainoo (0 games 0 goals)

When Thomas Tuchel chose Kobbie Mainoo (and Jordan Henderson) as back up to Rice and Anderson you felt it was a promising moment for a Manchester United youngster who has had to rebuild his career. But those signs that Rueben Amorin so desperately didn’t like seemed to have reappeared when training with England, Thomas Tuchel couldn’t rely on Mainoo and never turned to a player who should have been good enough to play. It seemed like the one decision that Tuchel might (admittedly) regret, was taking Mainoo, when the likes of Adam Wharton, James Garner and Alex Scott, where left at home. Rating: 0

Morgan Rogers (3(3) games 0 goals 1 assist)

Thomas Tuchel certainly likes Morgan Rogers and his quality in driving forward, in picking the right passes in the final third, is perhaps why Chelsea have paid well over £115m for his talents. I like what he brings to the England team but i’m not entirely sure where he best brings it? Used against Panama in midfield alongside Bellingham (which didn’t work so well) he played out right against Argentina after Tuchel ‘had a hunch’ (to pick him over Saka) and his cross to Anthony Gordon for the opening goal was brilliant, but I like him as a second half substitute, or as a like-for-like switch with Jude? Getting the best out of him, is still something England need to find how to? Rating: 6

Anthony Gordon (5(1) games 1 goal 3 assists)

Another of those marmite players that fans either love to hate, or indeed hate to love, Anthony Gordon grew into this tournament and got better as it went along, taken off when he had the Argentine defence on toast. His memorable cameo against Congo was the difference that turned the last 32 match, his running in the Azteca when down to ten men something to be truly proud of, he combined well with Bellingham to assist v Norway and scored a well taken goal in the semi-final, next for Gordon Barcelona, I’ve a feeling the Blaugrana fans may like him? Rating: 8

Ollie Watkins (0(2) games 0 goals)

Only played six minutes against Panama prior to being a second half sub for Marcus Rashford when England were 4-0 up against France, in a game where he struggled to get up to speed. Not trusted enough, by Thomas Tuchel, as a man to replace Harry Kane when he inevitably tires. I feel England are a weaker team when Watkins plays, but that’s not to say he doesn’t have the ability to score goals and work defenders, just not on the level of some forwards that Tuchel has at his disposal. Rating: 3

Noni Madueke (3(1) games 0 goals)

Always a gamble, especially when the likes of Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jarrod Bowen, Morgan Gibbs-White, were all left at home, but I understood the gamble of Noni Madueke, who Tuchel see’s as something different, in my version, Madueke is a player that doesn’t know what he’s even doing, so how should a defender? What happened, however, was that Madueke’s raw skills are all he has, no natural football intelligence, no real end product, and he was a bit of a disaster, so much so, I actually felt sorry for him at times, having been chosen, when clearly, he wasn’t nearly good enough. Rating: 2

Eberechi Eze (1(4) games 0 goals 1 assist)

Was actually used quite a bit during the early stages of the tournament and is so easy on the eye, a confident player who could get out of a crowded phone box with the ball still glued to his feet. Did well against Norway when asked to come on for the under weathered Declan Rice, but was breath-taking for 45 minutes verses France when it mattered not. Would love to see more of him in an England shirt, a footballer who oozes class and who often came on and did what he was expected to do. Rating: 7

Ivan Toney (0(2) games 0 goals)

Other than a minute against Argentina when it was far too late, Toney got 79 minutes in the 3rd/4th playoff and didn’t particularly do well, a little rusty after a couple of seasons in Saudi perhaps? Brought due to the simple fact he can take penalties, which wasn’t needed in the end, perhaps a spot that could have gone elsewhere, especially as Harry Kane was hardly rested, perhaps Tuchel didn’t trust his forwards enough, to take upon Kane’s mantle? Rating: 2

James Trafford (0 games 0 goals conceded)

Third choice goalkeeper isn’t easy , or perhaps it is? James Trafford was clearly back up and only a disaster would see him needing to play, but players like Trafford have their weight in gold (or bronze), after all, take Jason Steele, who was a fourth goalkeeper taken by England, not part of the squad due to FIFA rules, but a key part in how they trained, having the right balance so that forwards especially, can practice their shooting. A lovely touch was that Steele was given a bronze medal, after Jordan Henderson ensured he would pass on any extras to their 27th man, Trafford, like Steele, every bit as important to the collective. Rating: 5

Reece James (3(2) games 0 goals)

Clearly when fit, Reece James is the best right back in the country, especially now that the Kyle Walker years have been moved on, but I wonder will Reece James ever be his fittest? The fact that he wasn’t fit enough, could have cost England over this tournament? When called upon, he did well, because he’s still good enough, to play at international level, but the niggles which kept him out of Congo and Mexico could have proved costly, I never really felt we got the best out of him thereafter. A case called for not taking Trent Alexander-Arnold? Perhaps even, Ben White? Rating: 5

Djed Spence (4(4) games 0 goals)

Perhaps the breakout star of those least expected? Djed Spence had a terrific tournament and won the hearts of a nation for the exciting and positive way he played. A right back who these days seems to play more at left back, Spence didn’t have the best season at Spurs, but has been long trusted by Thomas Tuchel as his go to full back (right or left), and is one that took his opportunity, brilliant, until burnout v Argentina, his sub performance v Mexico and the memorable crunching tackle on Julian Alvarez a particular couple of highlights. Rating: 8

Jarrell Quansah (3 games 0 goals)

A surprising selection by Thomas Tuchel and one who probably didn’t justify his place in the squad? Booked and replaced v Panama he was sent off against Mexico and left England an awful lot to do, played 83 minutes against France in a whirlwind exhibition of football, but hardly covered himself in any defensive glory. Rating: 3

Thomas Tuchel (8 games 6 wins 1 draw 1 defeat)

The man brought in to win England the world cup. An elite coach to take us to the next level, Gareth Southgate had his limitations, with Tuchel, there would be no more excuses.

Croatia was fabulous, Ghana dreadful, Panama wasn’t much prettier, but the subs v Congo, and a little help from Harry Kane, were at least something to cling onto?

In Mexico, Tuchel came into his own, defensive reinforcements when down to ten men, guiding England through one of their trickiest tournament matches in competition memory. Brilliant.

Against Norway I felt Tuchel got lucky. Tactically England were poor against decent opponents who bossed the midfield, and after getting his substitutions at half time wrong, he eventually put it right, which gave him some kudos at least.

But verses Argentina, when England needed their Head Coach the most, he was left filling round holes with square pegs, back to the Southgate style it felt for many, nothing ‘Big’ Dan Burn or Ezri Konsa could do, they just weren’t up to the task.

That ‘elite’ level England need to be at, will perhaps put question on the squad that Tuchel picked? Tactically, England were ok, but performance wise it wasn’t always a brilliant watch, too often, bailed by the goals of Jude Bellingham, or Harry Kane.

I’m a firm believer that great players make great managers, the stars performing making their coaches jobs much easier, it would be hard to criticse too much, the job of Tuchel who led England to a bronze place for the first time in their history, this lot after all, are the best since 66, but perhaps, if Tuchel had shown a little more faith in the squad he selected, we wouldn’t be talking about those that he did not take, perhaps being the difference in England winning it all? Rating: 7

theHEADscout.

I’m a sports DATA Analyst and PFSA associate scout with level two qualifications in talent identification and level one certificates in technical scouting & opposition analysis.