🔗 Share this article

In a commanding performance, the English national team wrapped up another victory against Albania, with multiple squad members delivering standout performances during the match.

First-choice XI

The goalkeeper Was rarely tested to make during the opening 45 but then forced to intervene from an opponent's bent shot. One well-timed sliding intervention against an Albanian attacker showed his reading of the game. Six out of ten

The debutant Examined by the opposition's main danger through Hoxha. Played through the middle early on then shifted to the flank once a teammate came on. 7/10

John Stones Pushed forward with the ball at his feet, as he has done before. Sometimes lacked urgency on the ball and the experiment abandoned at half-time. 6/10

Dan Burn A nuisance at set pieces, per usual, but may be a replacement for his teammate at the back rather than paired with him. A careless distribution after the break nearly resulted in a goal for Albania. Six

The young full-back One more composed showing by the youngster after his debut against another side. Saka did not capitalize on the most of a gorgeous touch behind the Albania defence. His position is his to lose already. Seven

Adam Wharton His maiden beginning in an England shirt. A bit loose on the ball but his dangerous corners caused problems. A handy pace-controller available to the coach to have against defensive opponents. Booked for a rash challenge. 6

The midfielder Set-pieces from dead balls and set-plays caused problems. Was given license to roam on the left but was offside upon receiving with a chance to score. Given a merited substitution after an hour. 6/10

Jude Bellingham Played in a forward role on the right while also contributed with dirty work. Demonstrated moments of class but scuffed a shot wide. Replaced towards the end for Rogers, his rival, following a yellow card. 7

The winger Was presented with the team's clearest opportunity before halftime, his shot well saved from the opposing goalkeeper. As a teammate staying deep, it fell to him to stretch the play on the right although his balls from wide areas were hit and miss. Substituted with 15 to go. 6/10

The captain The match-winner with his seventy-seventh and seventy-eighth goals for his country. The opener a typical close-range tap-in and the second an excellent headed goal having drifted away from his marker. Now 32, he’s only getting better and England stand a real opportunity in the upcoming tournament when he's in the team. 8

Eberechi Eze Struggled to get into the game out wide. Was presented with a decent opportunity after being played in by the midfielder however Strakosha denied him. Rashford made much more of effect after coming on. Five

Replacements

• Phil Foden (replacing Rice 63) Appeared sharp and combined well with the striker in more familiar role, Six
• Bukayo Saka (for Eze at the 63-minute mark) Missed opportunities but his corner led to the breakthrough, 6/10
• Rashford (replacing the attacker 75) Energetic after coming on assisting the second goal with a brilliant delivery to the back post, Seven
• Anderson (for Wharton in the 75th minute) Looks established at this level, 6/10
• Rogers (for Bellingham 84) Not enough time to make an impact, 6/10