How did the players fare in England's 1-0 win over the Czech Republic?
ENGLAND (4-2-3-1):
7 Pickford: Did what was asked of him for the third game in row – hasn’t really been tested yet, but hasn’t put a foot wrong
7 Walker: Justified his return to the side with a solid display and is the most defensively reliable of England’s right-back options
8 Maguire: Looked like he had never been away as he barely gave Schick a kick all evening – will remain in the side for the rest of the tournament
8 Stones: Performed excellently throughout as he helped shackle the Czech forward line from the heart of the back four – has quietly had a very good tournament so far
8 Shaw: Was one of England’s star performers in the first half, surging down the left and almost scoring with a near-post shot
6 Rice: Helped deny the Czech midfielders any space in the first half, but was taken off for Henderson at half-time
6 Phillips: Hasn’t been able to match his opening-game exploits in the last two matches, but helped shut down the Czech midfield
8 SAKA: Added some much-needed drive and energy to England’s wide positions – troubled the Czech defence all night with his direct running
8 Grealish: Got England onto the front foot from the off with his creativity and vision – delivered the cross that resulted in his side’s goal
7 Sterling: Claimed his second goal of the tournament when he nodded England into the lead and also hit the post with an early chipped shot
6 Kane: An improved performance, even if he still looked some way short of his best – at least he finally got a shot on target
Subs:
6 Henderson (for Rice, 46): Slotted in nicely as he returned to the team in the second half and had a late strike chalked off for offside
5 Rashford (for Sterling, 67): Didn’t really have a chance to threaten the Czech goal as England sat back in the closing stages
6 Bellingham (for Grealish, 67): Continues to get a reasonable amount of game time and covered plenty of ground late on
Mings (for Stones, 79)
Sancho (for Saka, 83)
(not used): Ramsdale (gk), Johnstone (gk), Trippier, Coady, White, James, Calvert-Lewin.
CZECH REPUBLIC (4-2-3-1):
Vaclik 6; Coufal 5, Celustka 5, Kalas 5, Boril 4; HOLES 6 (Vydra 83), Soucek 5; Masopust 5 (Hlozek 64, 4), Darida 5 (Kral 64, 5), Jankto 4 (Sevcik 46, 5); Schick 4 (Pekhart 75).
Subs (not used): Mandous (gk), Kaderabek, Brabec, Barak, Krmencik, Mateju, Koubek.
Man Of The Match: BUKAYO SAKA – The Arsenal forward was a surprise selection ahead of Phil Foden, but he more than justified his inclusion with a bright, incisive attacking display.
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