The Battle of Britain was more like a early Premier League kick-off between West Brom and Swansea.
England and Wales went head-to-head in Lens in a crucial Euro 2016 clash, but it was by no-means a classic. Joe Hart gifted Wales the lead from Gareth Bale’s free-kick, forcing Roy Hodgson to send for Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge at half-time.
The Leicester City forward scored from a few yards out 11 minutes after coming on, and England huffed and puffed for the rest of the game, using all five forwards.
They eventually found a way through in stoppage-time when Sturridge scored. Heartbreak for Wales, who dropped off and were unable to keep hold of the ball.
Here’s how we rated the players:
England
Joe Hart – 3
The Manchester City ‘keeper had a terrible starting position for Gareth Bale’s free-kick, giving him the whole right side of the goal to aim for and failing to shift his feet across fast enough. Unless he was going to run the pitch and score a goal himself, little he could do would redeem such a obvious error.
1 – #WAL scored with their first shot on target v #ENG. Clinical #ENGWAL
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 16, 2016
Kyle Walker – 6.5
One of England’s better players in the opening period. The Spurs full-back got forward when he could, getting a number of crosses into Wales’ penalty area and winning his duel against Neil Taylor. Quiet in the second period.
Gary Cahill – 6.5
England’s best defender on the day. Cahill had a chance that glanced off his head in the first-half, and was largely untested in the second-half, useful in possession though.
Chris Smalling – 6
A quiet afternoon for the Manchester United defender.
Danny Rose – 5.5
Got forward at every opportunity but had little impact.
Eric Dier – 5.5
Average.
Delle Alli – 6.5
Scampered through on goal early in the first-half and set-up Sterling, who missed a sitter. The Spurs’ midfielder attempted to link-up with his teammates, but found central midfield to be heavily congested.
Wayne Rooney – 6
The England captain was unconvincing in the first-half. Rooney mostly played a series of crossfield passes which were easy to defend against and was slow moving the ball in possession. He was also caught in possession for the free-kick that led to Bale’s goal. Rooney appeared to be blunting England’s attack. He did, however, improve in the second-half, and had more touches than any other player.
Adam Lallana – 5
Lots of energy, little end product.
Harry Kane – 5
Played a nice through ball for Alli early in the game, but was otherwise anonymous. He looks like he hasn’t recovered from Spurs’ end of season collapse and was subbed off at half-time.
Raheem Sterling – 3
He kept his place despite an underwhelming performance against Russia, but Sterling’s first-half display suggested that Hodgson shouldn’t have persevered with him. The City winger ran down blind alleys, lost possession and looked shot of confidence. His troubles compounded by missing what was effectively an open goal.
Substitutes:
Jamie Vardy – 8
He was always going to score, wasn’t he? Denied space to run into, and fortunate that Williams knocked the ball into his path, but Vardy was there to score.
Daniel Sturridge – 7
On the edge of the game, denied space but won the game with a late goal and a clever finish.
Marcus Rashford – 5.5
Drifted out to the left and showed his turn of pace when running by Gunter, there would be no fairytale goal for the 18-year-old.
Wales
Wayne Hennessey – 5
Missed Wales opening game due to injury, the Crystal Palace ‘keeper arguably could have done better for Sturridge’s winner.
Chris Gunter – 5.5
Wasteful in possession and pinned back deep in his own half for most of the game. Pushed off the ball for England’s winner.
James Chester – 6.5
Put his body on the line a number of times, generally stood up well to the English strikers and didn’t waste any passes.
Ashley Williams – 6
The Wales captain had the misfortune of setting Vardy up for the equaliser, otherwise he stood up well to England’s attacking threat.
Neil Taylor – 5.5
Pinned back by Rose and arguably lost his individual duel. The Swansea defender didn’t find anything like the space he did against Slovakia to exploit.
Ben Davies – 7
Arguably Wales’ best performer after Bale. The Spurs’ full-back made a number of interceptions, clearances and blocks, booked for a late challenge on Lallana after an hour.
Joe Ledley – 6
The Crystal Palace midfielder made his first start since fracturing his leg at the beginning of May, and it showed at times, worked hard but lacking match sharpness. Subbed off just after an hour.
Joe Allen – 6.5
Energetic and neat in possession, Allen won the free-kick that led to Wales’ opener.
Aaron Ramsey – 6.5
Full of running early in the game, Ramsey ran beyond the England defence a few times and linked up with well with teammates.
Gareth Bale – 7
He was on the edge of the game, starved of service, but the best British player around proved his worth again – with a helping hand from Hart. Isolated for the rest of the match.
Hal Robson-Kanu – 6.5
The converted winger didn’t start last Saturday’s game against Slovakia, but came off the bench to score the winner. Robson-Kanu’s role in the team is to make runs and create space for Bale and he showed that at times today. The forward chased lost causes and held the ball up well on the few occasions Wales broke away, particularly in the first half.
Substitutes:
David Edwards – 6
Made little impact.
Jonny Williams – 6
Energetic and caused England’s defence a few, brief problems.
