England ease past Finland 2-0
The first two matches of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League went smoothly as plan. And here are the England players’ performance ratings for the game
Event: Football UEFA Nations League 2024/25
Match date: Monday 10 September 2024
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Result: England 2-0 Finland
It was an easier game than expected for England, two-time Euro runners-up, after beating their neighbours Ireland 2-0, they got past Finland in this match thanks to two goals from team captain Harry Kane.
England Player Ratings
Jordan Pickford – 6 – This really could have been a game without Pickford. There was some physicality in the first half, but there were no saves as Finland had two shots on target and the second half was a bit of a slog, waiting for the clock to run out.
Rico Lewis – 8 – Once again the 19-year-old https://ufabet999.app impress in his role as an inverted full-back, often moving into the middle of the pitch when attacking, helping England to keep the visitors at bay and even had a chance of his own in the 59th minute when his effort went wide of the far post.
John Stones – 7 – Easy going, barely breaking a sweat as Finland couldn’t get on the board, apart from two chances in the first half, the first and last ones by default.
Ezri Konsa – 6 – Like Stones, this was one of the easiest games of his career, with the only concern being that he appeared to have a slight injury problem and was the first to be substituted on the hour mark.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8
When playing in his preferred position, he continued to shine, being involved in the game up high. He had a chance to get forward and shoot towards the end of the first half, but he went just wide of the post and missed a golden opportunity from a free kick just a step away from the penalty area, with his shot going over the bar.
Jack Grealish – 7 – Not outstanding, hardly had any chances to score himself, unlike the previous match where he scored 1 goal, but he combined well with his teammates throughout the game.
Angel Gomes – 8 – Having been training with Lille for years, he has clearly benefited and learned a lot. He was another player who helped England’s midfield to a comprehensive win over Finland, and it didn’t seem like his first-team debut.
Declan Rice – 7
Reduced his role and intensity compared to the previous match but still played with a standard, not being able to keep up with the opposition and not being able to chase them. He was a good passer and playmaker in the midfield.
Anthony Gordon – 7 – Both in the previous match and in this match, it’s a pity. That many of the chances he had were unable to lead to his first goal for the national team. This game should have been the one in the 57th minute. When he took a full force shot from a dangerous distance and was saved by Lukas Hradecky.
Bukayo Saka – 6 – Tried to make a lot of runs down the right flank. link up well with his teammates. But maybe lacked something and didn’t shine much in this game.
Harry Kane – 9 – Should have had a hat trick. But was thwarted by the opposition goalkeeper’s toughness but managed to score two goals in the 57th minute. When he controlled the ball himself, eluding a defender and then firing a powerful shot. That hit the top of the bar and into the net. And in the 76th minute when he swung and shot but missed the shot and passed it to Noni Madueke.