England ratings: Frustrated Jude Bellingham very fortunate not to see red as Reece James has return to remember
REECE JAMES broke a 33-year record held by Stuart Pearce as England sunk Latvia 3-0 in their second World Cup qualifier. James became the first defender to score a direct free kick for England at Wembley since Pearce against Turkey way back in 1992. Reece James super free-kick broke the deadlock in the 38th minute James barely celebrated scoring his first-ever England goal GettyHarry Kane scored his 71st goal for England[/caption] PACrystal Palace star Eberechi Eze scored his first-ever England goal late on[/caption] https://twitter.com/itvfootball/status/1904268454435184931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1904268454435184931%7Ctwgr%5Ee583aad5a24f646883afb26a63ecaa2d60fbdc0a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fsport%2F34026063%2Freece-james-barely-celebrates-first-goal-england-latvia%2F The Chelsea star didn’t celebrate – perhaps something to do with the mixed response from fans questioning his inclusion in the squad. Before England’s top goal-getter Harry Kane notched his 71st international strike with a tap-in from Declan Rice’s squared ball. With Latvia tiring and trying to push up the pitch, England carved them open for Eberechi Eze’s deflected strike saw him score his first for England, too. Here’s how SunSport’s Alex Smith rated the Three Lions in their final World Cup qualifying match before September. Jordan Pickford – 5 Only really had one thing to do and made a mess of it. Didn’t really need to sprint out of his goal. Clearly a lack of communication with Marc Guehi and Latvia should have gone 1-0 up. Could have got his deck chair out for most of the game. In typical Pickford fashion though, still constantly barking orders to those in front of him. Reece James – 8 An outstanding free-kick that brought audible gasps from the Wembley crowd when replayed on the big screens. It was a timely reminder of his quality after recent seasons were ruined by injury. Tucked into a back at times, looking comfortable with the ball at his feet and had the recovery pace to produce a great sliding tackle in the second-half. Ezri Konsa – 7 Looking more and more settled in an England shirt. Nice dribble out from the defence when he saw the space and was physical with the Latvia centre-forward. Deserves more chances ahead of the World Cup against stronger sides to see if he can nail down the spot. Marc Guehi – 5 Usually looks so composed at the back for the Three Lions but had a night to forget. A horror mix-up with Jordan Pickford presented the visitors with a golden chance to score, only for them to somehow miss an open goal and spare Guehi’s blushes. Thankfully, it was Vladislavs Gutkovskis and not Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland. Also made a rush challenge in the first-half and got pressured into running the ball out of play after failing to deal with a hopeful punt up the pitch. Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7 It was a dream debut for the Arsenal wonderkid on Friday night, capping his debut with a goal. It was always going to be impossible to match the heights of the last game, but he was still impressive when drifting into midfield versus Latvia. Brilliant close control, winning free-kicks and gets stuck in as usual. A top talent. RexMyles Lewis-Skelly operated as an inverted full-back[/caption] Declan Rice – 7 A simple yet effective performance in midfield. England had the ball for long periods but when Latvia regained possession he was often there to break up play. Runs from deep are important to break down deep defences and he did that to set up Kane for his simple finish with a smart ball across the goal, putting it on a plate. GettyDeclan Rice was the engine during his 79 minute spell[/caption] Jude Bellingham – 5 Was lucky to avoid a second yellow card after a wild and unnecessary lunge. In truth, the ref saved him from an embarrassing red card against a poor opponent. The Real Madrid star eventually subbed off early to prevent England from going down to ten-men. Needs to control the aggression or could end up costing his side in important moments. Showed his undoubted quality on the ball with some wonderful touches and never ducks a 50/50. PAJude Bellingham was subbed off after avoiding a red card[/caption] Jarrod Bowen – 6 Worked hard but didn’t quite take his chance with Bukayo Saka out injured. Some decent moments but did not have the creativity to unlock a deep and stubborn Latvia defence. Bowen is way more effective when he has space to run into. Suits playing against stronger sides that will go toe-to-toe with England. Morgan Rogers – 7 Making his first England start after three previous substitute appearances. A delight to watch when working in tight spaces and seemingly impossible to knock off the b
REECE JAMES broke a 33-year record held by Stuart Pearce as England sunk Latvia 3-0 in their second World Cup qualifier.
James became the first defender to score a direct free kick for England at Wembley since Pearce against Turkey way back in 1992.
The Chelsea star didn’t celebrate – perhaps something to do with the mixed response from fans questioning his inclusion in the squad.
Before England’s top goal-getter Harry Kane notched his 71st international strike with a tap-in from Declan Rice’s squared ball.
With Latvia tiring and trying to push up the pitch, England carved them open for Eberechi Eze’s deflected strike saw him score his first for England, too.
Here’s how SunSport’s Alex Smith rated the Three Lions in their final World Cup qualifying match before September.
Jordan Pickford – 5
Only really had one thing to do and made a mess of it. Didn’t really need to sprint out of his goal.
Clearly a lack of communication with Marc Guehi and Latvia should have gone 1-0 up.
Could have got his deck chair out for most of the game. In typical Pickford fashion though, still constantly barking orders to those in front of him.
Reece James – 8
An outstanding free-kick that brought audible gasps from the Wembley crowd when replayed on the big screens.
It was a timely reminder of his quality after recent seasons were ruined by injury.
Tucked into a back at times, looking comfortable with the ball at his feet and had the recovery pace to produce a great sliding tackle in the second-half.
Ezri Konsa – 7
Looking more and more settled in an England shirt.
Nice dribble out from the defence when he saw the space and was physical with the Latvia centre-forward.
Deserves more chances ahead of the World Cup against stronger sides to see if he can nail down the spot.
Marc Guehi – 5
Usually looks so composed at the back for the Three Lions but had a night to forget.
A horror mix-up with Jordan Pickford presented the visitors with a golden chance to score, only for them to somehow miss an open goal and spare Guehi’s blushes.
Thankfully, it was Vladislavs Gutkovskis and not Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland.
Also made a rush challenge in the first-half and got pressured into running the ball out of play after failing to deal with a hopeful punt up the pitch.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
It was a dream debut for the Arsenal wonderkid on Friday night, capping his debut with a goal.
It was always going to be impossible to match the heights of the last game, but he was still impressive when drifting into midfield versus Latvia.
Brilliant close control, winning free-kicks and gets stuck in as usual. A top talent.
Declan Rice – 7
A simple yet effective performance in midfield.
England had the ball for long periods but when Latvia regained possession he was often there to break up play.
Runs from deep are important to break down deep defences and he did that to set up Kane for his simple finish with a smart ball across the goal, putting it on a plate.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Was lucky to avoid a second yellow card after a wild and unnecessary lunge.
In truth, the ref saved him from an embarrassing red card against a poor opponent.
The Real Madrid star eventually subbed off early to prevent England from going down to ten-men.
Needs to control the aggression or could end up costing his side in important moments.
Showed his undoubted quality on the ball with some wonderful touches and never ducks a 50/50.
Jarrod Bowen – 6
Worked hard but didn’t quite take his chance with Bukayo Saka out injured.
Some decent moments but did not have the creativity to unlock a deep and stubborn Latvia defence.
Bowen is way more effective when he has space to run into. Suits playing against stronger sides that will go toe-to-toe with England.
Morgan Rogers – 7
Making his first England start after three previous substitute appearances.
A delight to watch when working in tight spaces and seemingly impossible to knock off the ball.
Picked up positive positions and always wanted to receive the ball but will be disappointed not to score or assist.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Tuchel said his performance against Albania lacked “impact” and was “not aggressive enough.
He clearly took the criticism on board and was more direct tonight, looking to take defenders on with a burst of acceleration and doing so regularly.
But the final ball was lacking with crosses either overcooked or hit into a Latvian defender, which started to become frustrating.
Harry Kane – 6
A real passenger for much of the game despite his goal. Rarely threatened and was crowded out by the Latvian defence.
Began to pick up the ball in better areas in the final 30 minutes and eventually showed why he is a natural goalscorer with nice movement for the tap-in.
SUBS
Eberechi Eze (for Bowen ’60) –
A real bright spark when he came on and got a deserved goal.
His trickery caused havoc for Latvia and his ability to go either way helped wrap up the game.
Phil Foden (for Bellingham ’67) –
Not on the wing this time. Hooray!
Looks better in the No10 role but besides some tidy passes did not do much.
His run of not scoring or assisting for England since 2023 continues.
Jordan Henderson (for Rice ’79)
Another cap to add to his collection. Bossed his team-mates around to help see the game out.
If he continues to make Tuchel’s squads, that will be as far as his role goes.
Curtis Jones (for Rashford ’79)
No real time to impact the game with it all wrapped up by the time he came on for a stroll in the park.
Kyle Walker (for Lewis-Skelly)
Did nothing wrong but like Henderson, is an ageing player the answer given all England’s young talent worth it.
Give the ten minutes to the future.
