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Two England players were handed a woeful 3/10 in L’Equipe’s damning post-match ratings on the heels of their 0-0 draw against Slovenia on Tuesday night.
Despite topping their group, Gareth Southgate’s players failed to distinguish themselves as they ended their group-stage campaign with just one victory – their opening 1-0 win against Serbia – to their name.
Southgate attempted to mix up his formula ahead of the clash in Cologne, but the only England ball to sneak past Jan Oblak into the back of the net was Bukayo Saka’s strike, which was quickly ruled offside.
L’Equipe singled out Manchester City’s Kyle Walker as one of their named ‘flops’ on Tuesday evening, reasoning that Walker ‘practically missed everything he did’.
England failed to impress against Slovenia but emerged as the group winners on Tuesday night
Kyle Walker was one player singled out by the infamously cutting French outlet’s ratings
But the newspaper did praise some England stars, including Three Lions captain Harry Kane
The newspaper deemed Walker ‘unrecognisable’ on the night – but the England defender was not the only member of his cohort to receive the lowest rating.
Jude Bellingham was also handed the rating, although the Real Madrid player was spared detailed criticism.
Not quite so fortunate was Gallagher, who was on trial in lieu of Trent Alexander-Arnold and ‘almost did worse’ than the Liverpool midfielder-stroke-right back.
‘The midfielder ran a lot, often in the void, he only recovered one ball and he lost four, one of which resulted in a strike from Andraz Sporar,’ the outlet added, stating that the introduction of Mainoo for the Chelsea midfielder was a ‘logical’ one.
Gallagher received a 4/10 for his showing against Slovenia, as did his team-mates Marc Guehi, Bukayo Saka, and manager Southgate.
But two of England’s players were singled out on the night for acquitting themselves well, with L’Equipe reserving particular praise for Harry Kane, who was handed a 6/10.
L’Equipe’s ratings saw a number of England players fall well short of a half-decent showing
But Declan Rice was another standout on a turgid evening, as per the French newspaper
The French periodical commended the England captain for ‘dropping a lot, often to good effect’, and for his role in Cole Palmer’s half-chance towards the end of added time.
Also level on the highest rating was Declan Rice, who L’Equipe admitted wasn’t ‘radiant’, but performed consistently.
‘The Gunner’s contribution to this team is essential,’ the newspaper noted. ‘Because he brings a little control in the midfield, and because he knows how to bring the extra in attack.’
Jordan Pickford also received a 6/10 rating, with Trippier and Phil Foden given 5/10s for their performances.
L’Equipe did not necessarily rate England’s opponents highly – and took note of hot transfer favourite Benjamin Sesko’s anonymous showing – but handed out a 7/10, the highest of the night’s ratings, to Slovenia defender Vanja Drkusic.
Jordan Pickford also received a 6/10 for his steadiness between the sticks for England
Gareth Southgate will look to shake his side up before their start their knockout stage efforts
England fans gave Southgate and his players their own ratings after the final whistle, albeit in physical form, as plastic cups and missiles fell on the head coach as he applauded the travelling support.
On the plastic cups being hurled in his direction, Southgate said: ‘I understand it. I’m not going to back away from it.
‘The most important thing is we stay with the team. I understand the narrative towards me. That’s better for the team than it being towards them but it is creating an unusual environment to operate in.
‘I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive similar. I’m not going to back away from it.’
