Gareth Southgate fielded a number of young stars against the World Cup champions, as Tammy Abraham, Joe Gomez and Jack Cork make their international debut
ENGLAND may have failed to beat Germany at Wembley, but a number of stars dazzled for the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate's men drew 0-0 against the World Cup champions as a number of debutants and youngsters impressed.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tammy Abraham, Jordan Pickford, Joe Gomez and Jack Cork all made their international debut for England.
Loftus-Cheek and Pickford all-but secured their place in next summers World Cup after slotting into the side seamlessly.
JORDAN PICKFORD – Superb debut with stunning saves to deny Timo Werner three times when he was through. First effort was a block but the next two saves showed his agility to get down sharply. Beaten by Leroy Sane’s shot but the crossbar came to the rescue. 8
PHIL JONES – Amazing block on the line to deny Leroy Sane – but it was his last action before limping off. Was clutching his leg early on but carried on playing through the pain. Had strapping on his leg so may have aggravated an existing injury. 7
JOHN STONES – So composed and seemed to always find his team-mates – even clearances with his head. Also showed other side of his game to block Werner and pull off a last-ditch tackle on Julian Draxler. Very encouraging and continued his fine form this season. 8
HARRY MAGUIRE – Caught in possession in the first minute to set up Werner’s opening chance but got better as the game wore on. Looks comfortable in back three which gives him a decent World Cup chance. Showed good touch at other end and could threaten going foward. 6
KIERAN TRIPPIER – Good attacking from the opening minutes when he went just wide. Also on set-pieces like when he made his debut against France in the summer. Ref not fooled by Drazler’s dive. Crossed for Vardy’s chance in the second half when he got forward again. 7
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK – Grew into game and started showing his class – got a bash on the ankle for his trouble. Classy ball over the top set up Vardy for a clear run on goal. Plenty of guts to take on opponents. 8
ERIC DIER – Disciplined in front of the Three Lions’ back three – then started to show his range of passing in the second half. Set the tempo more after the break and even broke forward to cross dangerously. Led by example as skipper. 6
JAKE LIVERMORE – Showed that he had an attacking side to his game when got forward and shot wide. The other side of his game was a cynical foul on Sane to break up a counter. Hard work for him in midfield but not overrun. 6
DANNY ROSE – Ball over the top to Vardy early was a decent start on his return to the Three Lions team after injury. Would have liked to have got forward more but still a morale-booster after a year without a cap. 6
JAMIE VARDY – His pace sprung the offside trap early on. He caused the Germans plenty of problems with his running and also worked tirelessly down the channels as well as through the middle. Headed over the keeper with his big chance but not enough purchase to score. 6
TAMMY ABRAHAM – Nothing quite came off for him on debut. Inches from a second-minute tap-in, then had an effort deflected just wide off Rudiger.
That surely puts to bed any talk of him playing for Nigeria now – and he will get better luck in future games. 5
JOE GOMEZ (for Jones 25) 6, MARCUS RASHFORD (for Abraham 60) 5, RYAN BERTRAND (for Rose 71) 6, KYLE WALKER (for Trippier 72) 6, JACK CORK (for Livermore 86) 6, JESSE LINGARD (for Vardy 86) 5
Gomez came on for his debut earlier than expected after Jones’ injury and was troubled by Sane’s pace. Kept shape despite more players coming on in second half and still looked like attacking.
Germany (3-4-3): Ter Stegen 6; Ginter 6, Hummels 7, Rudiger 7; Kimmich 6, Gundogan 7 (Rudy 86, 6), Ozil 7, Halstenberg 5; Draxler 5 (Can 67, 5), Werner 6 (Wagner 74, 5), Sane 8 (Brandt 87, 6)
