England will be heading to Euro 2024 after another shock result against Iceland. Once again the Three Lions were passive and sloppy with and without the ball.
It was a chance for certain players to perform for Gareth Southgate and make a case for them starting the opening group game against Serbia. Sadly not many made a strong enough case as they suffered to a limp farewell from Wembley.
To their credit, Iceland had the perfect game plan of sitting deep but countered effectively. There were some excellent fluid passages of play, one of which led to Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson's opener.
A deflating evening they left more questions than answers for Southgate about his first lineup in Germany. To make matters worse after losing Harry Maguire to the Euros, John Stones was forced off at halftime with an injury.
The way Iceland played is what England will face as they approach similar opposition in Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia. The manager will have a selection headache in picking a balanced team that can extract the best from Harry Kane whilst not looking vulnerable at the back.
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England
Aaron Ramsdale- 4/10
Arsenal's number two did not do enough to suggest displacing Jordan Pickford's place in the side. Ramsdale was too easily beaten at his near post for the only goal of the game.
Kyle Walker- 5/10
England's usually reliable right-back did not have his best game. Manchester City's right back was surprisingly caught out of position several times when Iceland counter-attacked.
John Stones- 5/10
The big worry from a dismal night at Wembley was how Stones did not marshal his backline as someone with his experience should have. With Maguire now due to miss Euro 2024, there is pressure on the 30-year-old to show leadership.
Even before going off injured Stones was as unorganised as he has looked in an England shirt. Southgate will be praying his other relied-on centre-back will not be out of action for too long and will lead from the back against Serbia on opening night.
Marc Guehi- 6/10
The Crystal Palace centre-back looked the most assured player in defence for his country. Guehi's reading of the game was excellent and did help cut out several breaks from Iceland.
Kieran Trippier- 5/10
Southgate has a problem at left-back with Luke Shaw still coming back from an injury and Trippier playing out of position. The Newcastle full-back is covering for a position England are not blessed in depth.
Against Iceland, Trippier couldn't link up with Anthony Gordon effectively which will be a concern going forward. At the moment England's manager won't have a choice but to play his versatile defender at left back but it will be a concern.
Declan Rice- 5/10
England's leader in midfield was pedestrian on and off the ball in a rare off night for the Arsenal man. Rice is well known for his ball recovery skills but he let any Iceland attacks develop.
Kobbie Mainoo- 6/10
The Manchester United youngster was caught out for Iceland's opener as he was seen labouring back. Despite that Mainoo was the midfielder pushing the ball forward to get England back into the game.
Cole Palmer- 7/10
Palmer was his country's most dangerous attacker with only a last-ditch block preventing the Chelsea man from a goal. The ball he put in for Kane was the pass of the night which should have been the equaliser.
Phil Foden- 5/10
This should have been the game Foden claimed starting in the number ten position for England. Instead, the Premier League player of the season didn't stand out in his preferred position.
If the 24-year-old had shined in his country's final warm-up game there would have been uproar for starting Bellingham deeper. Now it looks certain Real Madrid's superstar will start further up with Foden starting wide.
Anthony Gordon- 6/10
Gordon looked electrifying when he broke with his pace but just didn't have the end product. A lack of sharpness may have cost him a spot in the starting lineup against Serbia.
Harry Kane- 5/10
The disbelief around Wembley when Kane missed a great chance said it all. England's captain was contained by Iceland as he couldn't be the intimidating presence up top his country needed.
Substitutes:
Konsa 5, Saka 5, Gomez 5, Alexander-Arnold 6, Toney 5
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Iceland
Hakon Validmarsson- 6/10
Iceland's goalkeeper nearly paid for hesitating on the ball but was assured and was not greatly tested. It is more damning on England they never tested Balidmarsson but he did well to palm a dangerous cross away in the dying seconds.
Bjarki Bjarkason- 6/10
Bjarkason endured a tough night against Gordon but kept his nerve and helped his side to a clean sheet.
Sverrir Ingason- 7/10
The centre-back did a great job in dealing with Harry Kane whilst nearly scoring from a corner.
Daniel Gretarsson- 7/10
Gretarsson did well in commanding his backline as they were resilient as soon as they scored at Wembley.
Kolbeinn Finnsson- 6/10
Palmer did get the better of the left back but Finnsson prevented both him and Saka from scoring. Iceland international nearly scored with an improvised effort in the second half.
Arnor Traustason- 6/10
The experienced midfielder did well in the middle of the park competing with world record fee midfielders as he helped control the game for Iceland.
Johann Gudmundsson- 7/10
The Burnley man leads by example in a more central position to what he plays for his club. Iceland's captain led his side to a historic victory.
Mikael Anderson- 6/10
The 25-year-old didn't make much of an impact in attacking areas but helped cover his right back when needed.
Hakon Haraldsson- 6/10
Harldsson looked lively on the counterattack and nearly set up a second goal for Thorsteinsson on the counterattack.
Jon Thorsteinsson- 8/10
The best player on the pitch as the wide attacker looked like a threat every time he ventured forward and scored the vital winner.
Andri Gudjohnsen- 5/10
Iceland's big man up top did not hold the ball up enough for Iceland but was given a tough battle by the excellent Guehi.
Thordarson 5, Sigurdsson 5, Fridriksson 5
