England defeated Andorra in a World Cup 2026 qualifier, with Elliot Anderson earning player of the match. Reece James stood out, providing an assist, while Eberechi Eze struggled to make an impact. England maintains its perfect record in the qualifying campaign as they look to fine-tune their squad.
England maintained their perfect start to World Cup 2026 qualifying with a comfortable victory over Andorra on Saturday. While the win was never in doubt, performances varied across the pitch. BBC Sport's Alex Howell delivers his player ratings, offering insights into who impressed and who fell short. Plus, see how BBC Sport readers rated each player.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland celebrate the opening goal against Andorra
Starting XI Ratings:
Jordan Pickford (6): Had a restful afternoon, with no saves required. His distribution was efficient, initiating attacks from the back.
Reece James (7): Solidified his claim to the right-back spot with a display of quality. His pinpoint cross set up Declan Rice's goal.
Marc Guehi (6): Filling in for the injured John Stones, Guehi was dependable at right center-back, despite it being an unfamiliar role. A solid performance, though the Stones-Guehi partnership remains Southgate's likely preference when both are available.
Dan Burn (6): Untroubled defensively, Burn focused on driving forward with the ball and was dominant in the air. A relatively quiet game.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (6): Similar to Burn, Lewis-Skelly had little defensive work. He stuck to a traditional left-back role, providing width. A steady performance.
Elliot Anderson (7.5): A standout debut for the Nottingham Forest midfielder. Anderson looked composed in possession, effectively shielding the back four. He had a good chance to score but couldn't connect cleanly. Named player of the match by BBC Sport readers.
Declan Rice (7): Continuing in an advanced midfield role, Rice capitalized on his running ability, scoring with a well-taken header before being substituted.
Eberechi Eze (6): An opportunity for Eze to stake his claim in the number 10 role, but he didn't fully seize it. While he played a key pass leading to the first goal, he missed a couple of decent chances and generally struggled to make a significant impact. A slightly underwhelming performance.
Marcus Rashford (6): Showed flashes of brilliance early on, beating defenders with skill. However, he missed a good opportunity after an Eze rebound and was later subbed off.
Noni Madueke (7): Lively on the wing, constantly looking to take on his man. His cross led to the opening goal, and he drew an early yellow card. Another encouraging performance for England.
Harry Kane (6): Found chances limited in a crowded penalty area. He didn't drop as deep as usual and missed connecting with Anderson. A relatively quiet game by his standards.
Substitutes Ratings:
Tino Livramento (6): Introduced in the 68th minute, Livramento injected pace and power into the attack.
Anthony Gordon (5): Replaced Rashford but had limited opportunities to influence the game.
Morgan Rogers (6): Played behind Kane but struggled to get involved, despite being at his home club.
Ezri Konsa (6): Came on for Guehi but wasn't tested defensively.
Morgan Gibbs-White (6): Received just over 10 minutes of game time with the result already secured.
Overall, it was a solid if not spectacular performance from England. While some players shone, others missed the chance to make a lasting impression. The focus now shifts to the next World Cup qualifier, where Southgate will be looking for a more polished and clinical display from his squad.