Belgium vs England result: Player ratings as Harry Kane and Jack Grealish stand out in Nations League defeat

Belgium 2-0 England: First-half strikes from Youri Tielemans and Dries Mertens consign Three Lions to defeat

England were beaten 2-0 by Belgium in the UEFA Nations League.

The Red Devils took an early lead when Youri Tielemans struck a low effort which was deflected out of reach for Jordan Pickford and in off the post.

England’s response was good and they went close through Jack Grealish and Harry Kane, but Dries Mertens then curled a brilliant free-kick in to double Belgium’s lead.

Gareth Southgate’s team had more of the ball in the second half, but failed to really create big chances from open play and cannot now top the group. 

Here are the player ratings from the game on Sunday night.

READ MORE: Five things we learned from Belgium vs England

Belgium

Thibaut Courtois - 6. Comfortable night in truth, despite needing his striker to clear one ball off the line.

Toby Alderweireld - 7. Some great defensive work tracking runners and making blocks.

Jason Denayer - 5. Couldn’t cope with the power and movement of Kane.

Jan Vertonghen - 7. Did well in the channels against England’s wide forwards and covered in behind when required.

Thomas Meunier - 6. Typically assured and impactful in both halves of the pitch in the first 45, but was lucky not to be sent-off in the second 45 after a series of fouls.

Axel Witsel - 7. Constantly working, blocking passing lanes, making challenges and making himself available for the pass.

Youri Tielemans - 7. Good early run and strike for the goal. A little overworked second half but largely coped.

Thorgan Hazard - 6. Worked hard but he’s not a wing-back.

Kevin de Bruyne - 6. Occasionally produced a brilliant through-pass, crossfield ball or surging run from deep, but not as involved as he usually tends to be.

Romelu Lukaku - 8. Hold up play and linking with the midfield was excellent. Brilliant header off the line. 

Dries Mertens - 6. Fantastic free-kick goal but not much involved elsewhere

Jack Grealish in action for England

(Getty Images)

England

Jordan Pickford - 6. No chance with the goals. Made a good second-half save from Lukaku.

Kyle Walker - 6. Useful on the underlap when running out of defence, but caught in behind a few times on the counter.

Eric Dier - 5. Some poor passing out of defence put England under pressure.

Tyrone Mings - 7. Best of the back three with his defensive work but also pushed on to support build-up play when given the chance.

Kieran Trippier - 6. Not really used as an outlet and caught offside when he initially looked in a good position. Taken off injured later on.

Jordan Henderson - 5. Won the ball back a few times and tried to lead the surge upfield, but too often the lack of movement meant he had to turn back. Subbed at the break.

Declan Rice - 5. Kept the ball moving quickly but didn’t do a whole lot with it.

Ben Chilwell - 5. No real impact with some poor corners and an early injury saw him depart.

Mason Mount - 5. Came deep and narrow too often to be any use in the attack.

Harry Kane - 7. Must have thought he’d scored with a great first-half header. Great hold-up play and a few half-sights of goal.

Jack Grealish - 8. Extremely lively on the ball and took a few kicks, but couldn’t quite find the right pass. Won lots of free-kicks and helped England move upfield whenever he was able to turn.

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