Squad Evaluations: England Qualify for the Next World Cup

Gareth Southgate's side clinched their spot at the 2026 World Cup with a comfortable win over the Baltic side on the midweek fixture.

The Starting Lineup

  • England's number one – Pulled off a couple of good stops in the latter period to maintain his impressive clean sheet run. That's nine in a row. 6.5
  • The defender – Seems at home in international football like a duck to water. Sterner tests await, of course, but a positive start to his England career. 7
  • The defender – A pair of fixtures in five days will do the City defender a world of good. Remains one of the key players on the starting lineup, fitness permitting. 7
  • Ezri Konsa – Picked ahead of his competitor and performed solidly. Made an superb last-ditch recovery tackle in the closing period to boot. 7
  • Arsenal's talent – Appeared a somewhat not at his best at times, understandable given his scarce minutes at Arsenal. An promising few months ahead. 6
  • Newcastle's star – Seems essential in this England team at the moment. Seems tailored for this level and has developed an excellent partnership with Rice. 7
  • Declan Rice – Excelling in his number eight role. The backbone of England's midfield is showing his attacking abilities now. Developing into a genuine all-round midfielder. 7
  • Morgan Rogers – Not as impactful as he has been in England's victories over other teams. We should find out next month who is the rightful holder of the number 10 shirt. 6
  • The winger – Provided an key pass to his brilliant goal against Wales last Thursday. Will be vital to England's prospects next summer. 7.5
  • The captain – At his peak. Increased his tally for the season to 20 scores. Has hit the back of the net 76 times for his country. Will he achieve 100? 8
  • Newcastle's attacker – Sharp finish to get the ball rolling for England here in Riga. Has acquitted himself well during this international window. 7.5

Subs' Impact

  • Jordan Henderson (for Rice 60) – Kept play flowing in midfield. 6
  • Eberechi Eze (for Rogers 60) – Excellently taken goal and a danger. 7
  • The winger (for Saka 60) – Battles on his hands to be selected when the squad is full. 6
  • Dan Burn (for Stones 71) – Typically, managed everything aerially. 6
  • Manchester United's star (for Gordon 71) – A quick burst down the left was noticeable. 6

With a World Cup spot booked, the squad can now focus for the upcoming tournament with high hopes.

David Mcclain
David Mcclain

A seasoned travel writer with a passion for exploring hidden gems and sharing cultural insights from around the globe.