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October 13, 2024

Player evaluations as the Three Lions easily defeat England 1-3 in Helsinki

Lee Carsley’s team put on an incredible, collected display, controlling the ball and easily winning on the road to cap off their October international break.

How the Game Unfolded

From the first whistle, England looked entirely transformed from the team that suffered a 2-1 loss to Greece just days prior. Calm, composed, and well-balanced, the Three Lions dominated possession, continually pushing forward to test Finland’s defense and apply constant pressure on the home side.

The breakthrough came courtesy of Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, who expertly curled a low shot past Lukas Hradecky following a perfectly weighted pass from Angel Gomes. Grealish’s clever movement and decisive run put him in the ideal position to convert, skillfully maneuvering past Finland’s defenders to find the back of the net.

England kept a firm grip on the game, setting a steady tempo as Finland appeared content to sit back. Lee Carsley’s side displayed impressive chemistry, moving fluidly and spreading the ball across the field to sustain their attacking momentum.

As the first half progressed, Finland began to increase their own intensity, working to regain possession in more advanced positions and attempt shots on goal. Despite creating a few opportunities, they could not alter the scoreline, heading into the break trailing 1-0.

In the second half, England’s energy seemed to dip. They struggled to create chances and often appeared static off the ball. Finland nearly leveled the match around the hour mark when Fredrik Jensen blasted a powerful shot over the crossbar, holding his head in frustration as the opportunity slipped away.

England had a chance to double their advantage when Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a spectacular free-kick, bending it over the wall and into the top corner beyond Hradecky’s reach. Later, Arsenal’s Declan Rice cemented the victory, tapping in a pass from Ollie Watkins and driving a low shot into the net to bring the score to 3-0.

Finland managed to snatch a late consolation when Arttu Hoskonen headed a well-placed effort into the top corner, dashing Dean Henderson’s hopes for a clean sheet on his England debut. It was a small consolation for Finland but not enough to prevent England from claiming a well-deserved 3-1 victory.

England Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Dean Henderson – 6/10 – Making his England debut, Henderson showcased solid reflexes, notably making an early save to deny Benjamin Kallman and maintaining composure in goal throughout the match.

RB: Kyle Walker – 4/10 – Replacing Alexander-Arnold at right-back, Walker struggled with passing and positioning, frequently losing the ball in difficult situations and underwhelming defensively.

CB: Marc Guehi – 7/10 – Guehi brought stability and leadership to England’s defense, showing immense composure and control. His presence at the back was a significant asset, providing consistency and strong positioning in the back line.

CB: John Stones – 5/10 – Stones’ performance lacked impact, often appearing sluggish and indecisive. Though he stepped up occasionally for free-kicks, he seemed nervous and could not assert his usual authority.

LB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8/10 – Playing an unexpected role at left-back, Alexander-Arnold thrived, linking up seamlessly with Bellingham and Grealish to create dangerous opportunities. He added a superb free-kick goal in the second half, showcasing his adaptability and precision.

DM: Angel Gomes – 7/10 – Gomes was outstanding in midfield, freeing up Rice and facilitating England’s attacking play. A sublime assist for Grealish’s opening goal exemplified his vision and crisp passing.

DM: Declan Rice – 7/10 – Playing with renewed confidence alongside Gomes, Rice advanced effectively and helped secure England’s third goal, demonstrating his tactical awareness and willingness to push up.

RW: Cole Palmer – 6/10 – Palmer had a quiet night on the right wing, with play mainly developing on the opposite side. Although his involvement was limited, he showed glimpses of his skill and potential.

AM: Jude Bellingham – 6/10 – Bellingham collaborated well with Alexander-Arnold on the left side but was somewhat restricted in his central role, limiting his ability to run at defenders. A more profound role could have better highlighted his strengths.

LW: Jack Grealish – 8/10 – Back in action, Grealish wasted no time, scoring an early goal and displaying skillful movement that kept Finland’s defense on edge. His energy and creativity made him one of the game’s standout performers.

ST: Harry Kane – 5/10 – Kane saw little of the ball, with only 21 touches in the first 50 minutes. The Bayern Munich striker looked fatigued, unable to bring his usual dynamism to the international stage.

Substitutes

SUB: Noni Madueke (68′ for Palmer) – 6/10 – Added fresh energy on the right but had limited impact in the short time he played.

SUB: Ollie Watkins (68′ for Kane) – 7/10 – Looked sharp and eager, contributing to the buildup leading to England’s third goal and boosting the attack.

SUB: Phil Foden (79′ for Bellingham) – 6/10 – Had a few nice touches and showed creativity, but wasn’t on long enough to change the game.

SUB: Rico Lewis (79′ for Gomes) – 6/10 – Came on to solidify the midfield, maintaining control in the latter stages.

SUB: Conor Gallagher (84′ for Rice) – N/A – There is too little time on the pitch to make an impact.

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