England vs Finland: Player Ratings, Bellingham Underwhelms
England's Euro 2024 qualification campaign took an unexpected turn as they were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw against Finland at Wembley Stadium. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, the Three Lions couldn't find the back of the net, leaving fans frustrated and questioning Gareth Southgate's tactics.
A Dismal Performance, A Frustrating Result
The match started brightly for England, with the home side dictating the pace and creating early opportunities. However, Finland's organized defense proved to be a tough nut to crack, frustrating England's attacking players. Despite the dominance in possession, England lacked the cutting edge and creativity needed to break down the stubborn Finnish backline.
Bellingham's Struggles
One of the biggest talking points of the match was the underwhelming performance of Jude Bellingham. While he was arguably England's most dangerous player in the game, the young midfielder couldn't translate his energy and creativity into clear-cut chances. His usual passing accuracy and composure seemed to be missing, leading to a frustrating night for the Real Madrid starlet.
Player Ratings:
England:
- Pickford (7): Made a crucial save in the second half to keep the score level, but was otherwise largely untroubled.
- Walker (7): Offered a constant threat down the right flank and provided some dangerous crosses.
- Stones (6): Solid defensively, but didn't offer much going forward.
- Maguire (6): Comfortable in possession, but was occasionally caught out of position.
- Shaw (6): Provided some good attacking runs, but struggled to find consistency.
- Rice (7): Controlled the midfield well and provided a solid platform for England's attacks.
- Bellingham (5): Had a disappointing night, lacking his usual sharpness and creativity.
- Foden (7): England's most creative player on the pitch, constantly trying to unlock the Finnish defense.
- Mount (6): Worked hard and offered good support in attack, but lacked the final ball.
- Kane (6): Isolated up front and struggled to get into the game.
- Saka (6): Was a constant threat with his pace and direct running, but couldn't create a clear-cut chance.
Finland:
- Hradecky (8): Made some crucial saves and was undoubtedly Finland's hero, keeping a clean sheet.
- Uronen (7): A rock at the back, making vital tackles and interceptions to frustrate England.
- Väisänen (7): A dominant presence in the Finnish defense, keeping Kane and Saka quiet.
- O'Shaughnessy (7): Formed a solid partnership with Väisänen and helped neutralize England's attacking threats.
- Kamara (7): Covered a lot of ground in midfield and disrupted England's rhythm.
- Lod (7): Offered a tireless performance in midfield, winning tackles and disrupting England's possession game.
A Worrying Sign for Southgate?
The draw against Finland raises questions about England's ability to break down stubborn defenses. Despite their dominance in possession, the lack of creativity and clinical finishing in the final third proved costly. The team's reliance on individual brilliance was evident, leaving fans concerned about their ability to perform consistently at the highest level.
Gareth Southgate will be hoping to find a solution to these issues before the next round of qualifiers. England's journey to Euro 2024 is still in its early stages, but this draw serves as a timely reminder that they are not invincible, even at Wembley.
