Football Features

    Bulgaria 0-6 England: Full player ratings as racism overshadows fine attacking display

    By Harry Edwards

    Published: 21:53, 14 October 2019

    England all-but confirmed their place at Euro 2020 thanks to a 6-0 win over Bulgaria.

    Marcus Rashford opened the scoring and Harry Kane finished it, with Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling both helping themselves to braces in between.

    The game looked unlikely to finish due to racism directed towards Tyrone Mings, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling, with the referee stopping play twice – overshadowing England’s fine attacking play.

    But how did the players rate in what was, ultimately, a low point for football?

    Bulgaria

    Plamen Iliev – 5 – The Bulgarian goalkeeper had a night to forget, first allowing Rashford’s shot to go in despite getting a hand to it, before looking less than confident for England’s next three goals. Improved after half-time to keep the scoreline in the single figures.

    Georgi Pashov – 3 – Was beaten far too easily by Rashford in the build up to England’s first goal, diving in and allowing the Manchester United forward to cut back inside unopposed. Never really looked in the game.

    Georgi Terziev – 3 – Really struggled against England’s pacy and confident attacking line.

    Kamen Hadzhiev – 4 – Had a slightly better game than his defensive partner but was still too easy to break through.

    Petar Zanev – 2 – Had a nightmare defensively, given a tough game by the pairing of Sterling and Trippier.

    Kiril Despodov – 5 – The 22-year-old was Bulgaria’s attacking bright spark, though he was unable to add anything to really hurt England’s defence.

    Ivelin Popov – 3 – Had Bulgaria’s first opportunity, a long-range effort that was saved by Pickford. But he struggled to get into the game much after as England dominated.

    Georgi Sarmov – 3 – The midfielder dropped deeper to play alongside the defence as a centre-back but had very little joy. Was taken off at half-time.

    Georgi Kostadinov – 5 – Fought well in midfield, winning more aerial duels than any other Bulgaria player.

    Wanderson – 4 – Passed the ball well but really didn’t have the opportunity to get at England’s defence with Bulgaria overpowered..

    Ismail Isa – 3 – Looked anonymous in attack, failing to have a shot on target and managing just 24 touches of the ball before being taken off.

    Substitutes:

    Bozhidar Kraev (for Sarmov 45) – 5 – Added some defensive solidity in coming on at half-time, restricting England to just two more goals – although the Three Lions had taken their foot slightly off the pedal.

    Galin Ivanov (for Isa 68) – 3 – Did not have a good game after coming on and was partially at fault in the build up for Kane’s goal.

    Kristiyan Malinov (for Wanderson 76) – 5 – Added very little.

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    England

    Jordan Pickford – 7 – Got down well to save Popov’s shot in the first half but was otherwise untroubled.

    Kieran Trippier -8 – Enjoyed his time getting forward down the right, building a devastating partnership alongside Raheem Sterling.

    Tyrone Mings – 8 – The debutant had a solid, albeit fairly uneventful, night with regards to his on-pitch performance. But he was, sadly, the subject to racial abuse from Bulgarian fans – marring what should’ve been a momentous occasion for him.

    Harry Maguire – 7 – Like his centre-back partner, Maguire had very little to do in Sofia.

    Ben Chilwell – 7 – The lesser used of the two full-backs, Chilwell got forward well when required but also helped keep England sure at the back.

    Harry Winks – 8 – Quietly kept things ticking in the England midfield, seamlessly working well alongside Henderson and Barkley.

    Jordan Henderson – 8 – Was booked after just three minutes for a sliding challenge that threatened to put him at risk but England’s dominance meant he had little to worry about. Looked more attacking with his passing than he has in previous England games.

    Ross Barkley – 9 – Pre-match Roy Keane said Barkley’s best position in international football was on the bench. He responded with two goals and an assist. It started with good work in the build up to Rashford’s powerful strike before Barkley was then in the right place to tuck in Sterling’s cross-cum-shot. Got his second with a finely-timed run and header from Kane’s cross.

    Marcus Rashford – 8 – An unpopular starter, Rashford opened the scoring in just the seventh minute, directing a powerful effort into the right corner from a wide angle. The goal only added to his confidence as he ran riot on the Bulgarian defence.

    Harry Kane – 10 – An outstanding game from the England captain who once again showed that he might just be the Three Lions’ best passer, collecting a hat-trick of assists. The first was a lovely cross; the second a good pass across the goal and the third a fine through ball. Got the goal his performance deserved late on.

    Raheem Sterling – 9 – A wonderful performance from the England winger, once again showing just how good he can be when running at defences. Showed good play to get into the box and set up Barkley for England’s second before finding himself in a similar position just before half-time to score, capping off a good team goal. Scored again in the second half after being played through by Kane but was denied another England hat-trick, being taken off by Southgate with the game well and truly over.

    Substitutes:

    Mason Mount (for Barkley 73) – 7 – Had a good opportunity to open his England account but his effort from outside the box was saved.

    Jason Sancho (for Sterling 73) – 7 – Immediately caused problems after coming on although the impetus to attack had lowered slightly.

    Callum Wilson (for Rashford 76) – 7 – Looked good after coming on and should have scored but his shot from close range hit the post.

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