Gareth Southgate's England side secured a professional, if not entirely electrifying, 2-0 victory over a resilient Andorra at a rain-swept Wembley Stadium. While the scoreline suggests a routine evening, the individual performances told a more nuanced story, with one surprise package delivering an exceptionally assured display.
The deadlock was finally broken by substitute Phil Foden, who injected much-needed creativity after coming on, with Bukayo Saka adding a second to seal the result late on.
England Player Ratings: Who Shone and Who Struggled?
Sam Johnstone (7.5/10): The West Brom goalkeeper was a spectator for large parts of the match but answered the call emphatically when needed. His stunning, full-stretch save in the second half was world-class and crucial in preserving the clean sheet. An incredibly assured performance between the sticks.
Jude Bellingham (7/10): The Borussia Dortmund teenager oozed class and composure far beyond his years. He was constantly available, driving England forward from midfield and looking to make things happen. A mature display from a future cornerstone of the team.
Bukayo Saka (7/10): Lively and direct throughout, the Arsenal man was a constant thorn in Andorra's side. He got the reward for his perseverance with a well-taken goal to kill the game and will be pleased with his night's work.
Phil Foden (7.5/10): The game-changer. Introduced at half-time, the Manchester City magician immediately elevated England's attacking play with his vision and technical quality. He broke the deadlock with a clever finish and looked a class above.
Harry Kane (6/10): An uncharacteristically quiet night for the England captain. He struggled to impose himself on the game and was often found dropping deep in search of the ball, leaving a void in the box. Looked a touch rusty.
Others of note: Conor Coady (7/10) was a vocal and defensive leader, while Jesse Lingard (6/10) worked hard but lacked a decisive final product on his return to the international stage.
What This Result Means for Southgate's England
The match served as a valuable exercise in breaking down a stubborn, low-block defence—a familiar challenge in international football. While the performance wasn't always fluid, it was a professional job done and another three points on the road to World Cup qualification.
Southgate will be most pleased with the impact from the bench and the assured performances from his squad players, demonstrating the growing depth available to him. The focus now shifts to a far sterner test against Hungary at Wembley.
