England secured their best men’s World Cup finish since 1966 in jaw-dropping fashion as Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick helped under-fire Thomas Tuchel’s side hold off France in an extraordinary 6-4 third-place play-off win.
An occasion that started with boos for the heavily-criticised manager ended in a breathless bronze medal , with the wounds from their semi-final collapse to Argentina still raw.
Here, BOYLE Sports rates how the players performed during the tournament.
Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford - 7 (out of 10)
The goalkeeper became England’s record appearance maker at a World Cup . He had a heroic night in Mexico , but could have done better with goals against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Norway .
Dean Henderson
Dean Henderson - 6
Saved brilliantly from Kylian Mbappe twice in the first half and made the best of his only appearance of the tournament. Could do little with France’s four goals.
Reece James
Reece James - 6
Picked up a hamstring injury in the second group game against Ghana and barely looked fit by the time he returned in the quarter-final.
Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah - 5
Came in to replace the injured James but was sent off against Mexico in the last 16. Allowed Bradley Barcola in behind him for France’s second goal early in the second half of the Bronze Final.
Nico O’Reilly
Nico O’Reilly - 5
His defensive frailties were highlighted at times and he could not have the impact he would have hoped going forward.
Djed Spence
Djed Spence - 7
A surprise inclusion in Tuchel’s squad but he ended as one of the best performers, with a standout showing against Argentina and cameos against Mexico and Norway .
Ezri Konsa
Ezri Konsa - 7
Was part of a defence that looked creaky during the group stage but then filled in at right-back admirably. Scored England’s second with a brilliant leap and well-placed header against France.
John Stones
John Stones - 7
Potentially at his last World Cup , Stones showed his class in keeping Erling Haaland quiet and helped his side over the line in Mexico .
Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi - 6
Left out of the first game, Guehi was part of a defence that gave up chances, even if he did show his class on other occasions.
Dan Burn
Dan Burn - 7
Burn became a cult hero for his late contributions to wins against Mexico and Norway , justifying his selection.
Trevoh Chalobah
Trevoh Chalobah - N/A
The last player added to the World Cup squad as a late call-up made his second international appearance in the third minute of stoppage time against France.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice - 6
It was a difficult tournament for the Arsenal midfielder , who arrived carrying a hamstring injury and then suffered sickness after Mexico . Captained the side in Kane’s absence against France , produced a lovely finish for the first goal and set up the second for Konsa from a corner.
Elliot Anderson
Elliot Anderson - 7
A mid-tournament transfer to Manchester City did not distract him as he proved a key player with his tenacity and ability to win the ball.
Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson - 5
Played just seven minutes at an English record fourth World Cup but his tournament was defined by suffering an injury while celebrating the last-16 win in Mexico .
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham - 9
The Real Madrid star delivered on the highest level, finishing with seven goals, including back-to-back braces against Mexico and Norway . His tally is an England record for a single staging of the tournament.
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze - 5
Eze played a variety of roles, often off the bench, as he proved to be a good squad man. Started against France and had o ne wonderful run in the second half before wasting the chance with a hopeful long-range lob that dropped well wide.
Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers - 6
Perhaps did not light up the tournament in the way he had hoped, but Bellingham’s form restricted his opportunities. Was excellent in the first half against France , a performance that suggested he ought to have been used more.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka - 7
Clearly unfit throughout the tournament, Saka was only able to show glimpses of his quality until the Bronze Final against France when he hit a hat-trick in an extraordinary game. It was only England’s fourth treble at a men’s World Cup , following Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final win over West Germany , Gary Lineker against Poland in 1986 and Harry Kane in 2018 against Panama .
Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke - 4
The Arsenal winger is a favourite of Tuchel but could not deliver the quality required when trying to break teams down.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford - 5
Rashford’s tournament got off to a flying start with a goal in the opening game, but it went downhill quickly and he played just 62 minutes in the knockout stages before featuring for the first half against France .
Anthony Gordon
Anthony Gordon - 8
Vindicating his summer move to Barcelona , Gordon made a huge impact in knockout games against DR Congo, Mexico and Argentina .
Harry Kane
Harry Kane - 9
Became England’s record goalscorer at the World Cup and justified his status as one of the best strikers in the world with six goals, including some divine intervention in the last 32 and last 16.
Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins - 5
The Aston Villa striker will be left wondering what could have been as he played only six minutes before England were knocked out. Came on at half-time against France but f ailed to make an impact.
Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney - 5
The wildcard pick for a penalty shootout that never came, Toney came on for the final stages of the Argentina defeat. Started against France but m issed from his only real chance in the second half.
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