England player ratings: Kane spares Pickford, Maguire blushes, as lively winger gives Southgate something to ponder

Harry Kane notched his 50th senior goal for England to rescue a 1-1 draw with Germany in the UEFA Nations League, but it was a substitute forward that caught the eye.

England started brightly but quickly struggled to contain the aggressive German press in Munich. Kyle Walker was the busiest man in the city and both he and England were lucky to make the break with the scores still deadlocked.

The stalemate lasted just five minutes into the second half when Jonas Hofmann’s strike proved too hot to handle for Jordan Pickford. The forward drifted into a pocket of space Harry Maguire had deserted before powering his country in front.

Germany remained the team in command, though while the lead remained only one, England were always within touching distance. And with five minutes to go, England were awarded a penalty after Nico Schlotterbeck stumbled into Harry Kane inside the area.

Kane stepped up and plundered his 50th senior goal for his country to rescue a 1-1 draw in the UEFA Nations League.

England player ratings

Jordan Pickford: Alert to spare Rice’s blushes when rushing off his line to mop up a sloppy backpass. Had several regulation saves to make in the first half with England struggling to cope as the half wore on, though make them he did.

Fell at the first hurdle after the break when failing to repel Hofmann’s strike. The effort was well hit, though was very central and was one a top class keeper would’ve expected to save 99 times out of 100. Distribution let him down which exacerbated England’s inability to gain a foothold. 5/10

Kyle Walker: Given a mountain of work to do in the first half. Vital intervention to prevent a certain tap-in for Muller inside three minutes. Stern test with clever German movement down his side giving him decisions to make and was left isolated too often. His pace rescued him on occasion, though every German attack had its roots down his flank. 7

Harry Maguire: Bailed out by the offside flag when too focused on manhandling Havertz instead of cutting out a long ball which Hofmann tucked away. Raised his score when staring down a German shot and blocking from close range with his chest. Dragged out of position for Germany’s first goal with Hofmann receiving the ball where Maguire should’ve been. 5

Biggest chance of the first half fell to Germany 😬

The offside flag was raised to spare England ❌#C4Football | #ThreeLions | #MutualRespect pic.twitter.com/2Hcf9vQl2p

— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) June 7, 2022

John Stones: Strange decision to leave Maguire 2v1 on the half-way line with the offside flag bailing him out. Came under increasing pressure with Germany dominating on home turf. Struggled to break the aggressive German press with his passing. 6

Kieran Trippier: Bombed forward down the left at will to ensure that flank was England’s most dangerous. Used his body well to deny Havertz a clear opportunity when a distant second favourite for a header. Struggled against the press when on the ball in his own half, though wasn’t alone in that regard. 6

Kalvin Phillips: Typically sharp into the tackle for the brief period he was on the pitch and sparked an early attack by robbing Muller of the ball in midfield. Bright cameo ended after 13 minutes upon succumbing to a knock. 6

Declan Rice: Survived a nervy moment when a blind backpass only just made its way through to Pickford before being intercepted. Found it tough to contain Germany in the engine room, particularly after Bellingham replaced Phillips. 6

Bukayo Saka: Negligible impact inside the first 25 minutes with the bulk of England’s attacks coming down Sterling’s side. The fact he had the more defensive-minded Walker backing him up instead of Trippier didn’t help.

While it probably wasn’t in his instructions, he would’ve helped England by tracking back more to help out the increasingly under-fire Walker. Finally joined the party in first-half stoppage time when forcing Neuer into a reaction stop and curling a superb effort narrowly wide. 5

Mason Mount: Neat interplay early but quickly became a peripheral figure. Wrong decision to pass to Saka in a 4v3 when shooting from a great position would’ve proved better. Remedied that error after the break when forcing a smart stop from Neuer with a fizzing drive. That was a rare ray of light with the Chelsea ace quickly resigned to a side role before being replaced by Grealish. 5

Raheem Sterling: Lively down the left early on. Struck up a good understanding with Kane and Mount to make the left side England’s most dangerous. Overcame a knock to soldier on, though saw his influence decline. 5

Harry Kane: Involved in a handful of neat moments early on with Sterling and Mount down the left. Alert to pounce on an error forced by Bellingham, though couldn’t pick out an England shirt with his pull-back. Should’ve pulled England level when latching onto Grealish’s perfect cross. Finally bagged his 50th goal for England from the spot when calmly tucking home a spot kick he himself won late on. 6

Substitutes: 

Jude Bellingham (On for Phillips, 14m): Could do little to prevent the yo-yo type pattern of play with both sides attacking at will. Didn’t provide the defensive cover Phillips would’ve, though did add a new dimension pushing forward from deep with late runs. Forced an error with his relentless pressing that Kane couldn’t capitalise on. 7

Jack Grealish (On for Mount, 73m): Immediate impact when putting the equaliser on a plate for Kane. Unfortunately for both, Kane’s close-range effort was repelled by Neuer. Posed problems for Germany’s back-line each time he picked up possession and had his opponents fretting over his quick feet and close control. Despite barely making his mark at Man City last year, tonight’s cameo suggests he should be starting for England. 7

Jarrod Bowen (On for Saka, 80m): N/A