World Cup 2018: England report card - who’s top of the class and the players with extra work to do over the summer

Gareth Southgate’s crop of young players reached the last-four of the World Cup, but not everyone was able to soak up the plaudits that came with World Cup run in Russia

England recorded their joint-second best ever finish at the World Cup after reaching the semi-finals in Russia, ultimately finishing fourth after defeat by Belgium in the third-place play-off.

Gareth Southgate managed to unite the nation behind the Three Lions for the campaign as England came within 22 minutes of reaching the World Cup final for the first time since 1966, but it wasn’t to be as Croatia fought back and sent them out at the same stage as Italia ’90.

But with such a young squad at his disposal, Southgate is optimistic that the future will be even more successful than this tournament, with Harry Kane talking up their chances of challenging for Euro 2020.

The beauty for England though is that a number of players showed why Southgate was right to put his faith in a younger crop, with more changes on the horizon as he plans for the next major tournament.

But how did each player fare individually? Here’s the England 2018 World Cup report card.

Jordan Pickford: A

It was a tight choice between Pickford and Jack Butland before the World Cup, but Pickford repaid Southgate’s faith with a brilliant first tournament. A genuine 21st century goalkeeper, he impressed with his comfort on the ball and his precise kicking, helping to launch attacks. Best of all were his agile saves, two against Colombia, including from Carlos Bacca’s penalty, a personal moment of the tournament, and three against Sweden. Could be the England No1 at Qatar 2022 and USA 2026.

Justified his manager's faith in him (Reuters) (REUTERS)

Kyle Walker: B

Continued to learn the new centre-back role that was only thrust on him in March. Maybe not a natural in that role, he gifted Tunisia a penalty in the opening game and then lost Ivan Perisic for Croatia’s equaliser in the semi-final. But his speed was always helpful in defending against the counter-attack, which he did very well, and he got forward to attack when he could.

Still learning at the back but strong in attack (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

John Stones: A-

Not England’s best player, but their most important one. They could not dream of playing the way they do without Stones. Building up the play from the back, organising his team-mates around him, stepping into midfield or breaking the lines with a forward pass, this was the Stones that England had been hoping for for years. And he showed against Colombia and Belgium that he is a better one-v-one defender than many gave him credit for.

Not England's best player, but far from their worst (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Harry Maguire: A

The biggest surprise in Southgate’s thinking, and the biggest vindication. It would have been easier to play Gary Cahill, but Maguire gave England confidence in possession, true to the new identity of the team. He was dangerous from set pieces, too, thumping in the crucial opener in the quarter-final against Sweden. Will be difficult to dislodge.

The surprise package of the class (Getty)

Kieran Trippier: A

Another vindication for Southgate was the decision to effectively play two right-backs, to get Walker and Trippier into the team. But here Trippier was arguably the best right-back in the competition, hitting inch-perfect crosses, corners and free-kicks all tournament. His delivery was crucial to England’s set piece threat, and his early free-kick against Croatia at the Luzhniki provided one hour of the giddiest optimism in English football history.

A set-piece master and another gamble that paid off (AP)

Ashley Young: B

Chosen for his experience as much as anything else this tournament, he was a solid choice in a left wing-back role that may not be his strongest. His delivery was good, especially from corners, although Southgate will likely want a natural left-footer in that role in future. Did not look fully fit against Croatia as Sime Vrsaljko overran his side later on.

Did all that could be asked of him but isn't the solution on the left (Reuters) (REUTERS)

Danny Rose: C

Southgate took Rose to Russia hoping to get him fit enough to put him into the team, but it did not happen like that. He was a regular substitute, and he did add some impetus to England’s game when he came on against Colombia. But he could not dislodge Young for a competitive game, only starting the two Belgium matches. Could have contributed more if he was 100% fit.

Fitness let him down in a tale of what could have been (Getty) (Getty Images)

Jordan Henderson: B+

The Liverpool captain has become an indispensable leader for England on and off the pitch, and he helped to set the tempo in midfield, hunting for the ball and moving it forward briskly. But he ran out of steam against Croatia, suffering with hamstring tightness, in a midfield that was shown up in the second half. Southgate will experiment in midfield this autumn, but Henderson is safe.

An indispensable leader who will survive the post-World Cup cull (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Eric Dier: C+

Provided one of the great moments in England history when his penalty beat David Ospina to win the shoot-out in the last-16. But beyond that special moment, Dier did not make much an impression on the tournament. Never looked like he should replace Henderson as England’s midfield pivot, especially given that he looked off the pace against Colombia before his spot-kick. Against Croatia, when England needed to shut down their midfield, Dier struggled again.

Provided one moment of glory and one moment only (Getty)

Dele Alli: B-

Did he ever look fully comfortable in an attacking midfield that is deeper than he plays for Tottenham? His best display was the first half hour against Tunisia in Volgograd, when he was lively and inventive. But he picked up a quad injury, lost that edge and missed the next two games. When he came back into the team he was not the same player, although his far-post header against Sweden was a reminder of how dangerous he can be in those positions.

Out of position and out of sorts (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Jesse Lingard: B

Another Southgate favourite, Lingard dove-tailed with Alli to give England a midfield that was almost too dynamic, and which sometimes needed some slower gears. But he was spritely in every game he played, took up some great positions against Tunisia, and scored a beautiful goal against Panama, the best of their three open-play goals in the competition. May find his place under threat when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain recovers from knee injury next season.

Not sure he did enough to keep his place when star pupils return (Getty) (Getty Images)

Ruben Loftus Cheek: B-

Impressed with his driving runs when he came on in the second half against Tunisia, with England chasing a winner. Was rewarded with a start against Panama but he got booked and seemed to lose confidence. Did not make much of an impression against Belgium either, but was one of England's livelier players in the third-placed play-off defeat.

A rising star in the class who feeds off confidence (Getty) (Getty Images)

Fabian Delph: C+

Made four appearances, adding energy and drive to England's midfield whenever he played. Was also an important part of the team 'leadership group', and showed special commitment to the cause by flying straight back to Russia after returning home for the birth of his daughter.

Offered plenty off the pitch as well as on it (PA)

Raheem Sterling: B

Unfortunately Raheem Sterling will often be reminded of the fact that he started five games up front but never scored, missing chances against Tunisia, Panama and Sweden he would normally take. He did do more for the team, running dangerously in behind, creating space for Harry Kane, running with the ball to commit defenders, working in tight spaces. But without goals his tournament will always be lacking.

Offered plenty to the team but needed an end result individually (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Harry Kane: A-

How can you quibble with the Golden Boot winner? Kane launched England's World Cup with two against Tunisia, including a last-minute winner, without which none of their later success would have happened. He followed it up with a hat-trick against Panama, and two ice cold penalties against Colombia. That last-16 game did take it out of Kane physically, and he was not the same player for the Sweden, Croatia or Belgium games. But this will still go down as another point proven and another landmark for a special player.

A special landmark for a special player (AFP/Getty)

Marcus Rashford: B

Made six appearances in total but his most important contribution was slotting that second penalty in the shoot-out against Colombia in Moscow, keeping England in the hunt. Was lively off the bench in all the games he played, although looking back his missed chance against Belgium in Kaliningrad kept England in the easier half of the draw. Had he scored it would have been Japan and then Brazil.

Kept his nerve when he needed to (Reuters) (REUTERS)

Do you agree with our report cards? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.