England half-time player ratings in nervy Euro 2024 final
- England face Spain in Euro 2024 final
- Three Lions limited in possession but a threat on the counter
- Luke Shaw excelled in first start since February
By Tom Gott
![England battle Spain in the Euro 2024 final England battle Spain in the Euro 2024 final](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3960,h_2227,x_0,y_304/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j2sbvnsqqjxhh5bq8x.jpg)
England worked hard to take a 0-0 scoreline into half-time of Sunday's Euro 2024 final against Spain.
The return of Luke Shaw to the starting lineup saw England switch back to a 4-2-3-1 formation, and the Manchester United left-back wasted little time in getting tight to the dangerous Lamine Yamal.
Spain dominated possession and regularly went to Nico Williams down the left, but Kyle Walker and John Stones usually combined to repel anything that came into the box from the Athletic Club wide man.
A promising Walker cross was put behind, before Declan Rice's strike from range was blocked, as England tried to get a foot in the game midway through the opening 45.
A series of increasingly scrappy fouls harmed the tempo of things but it was Spain stopper Unai Simon who needed to make the first real save of the game. As the half entered stoppage time, Phil Foden had to stretch to send a strike towards goal but the Athletic Club goalkeeper was never in danger of being beaten.
England half-time player ratings vs Spain
GK: Jordan Pickford - 6/10 - Always alert to leave his line and claim crosses when England needed him.
RB: Kyle Walker - 7/10 - Nico Williams kept him busy from the opening whistle but Walker was almost always up to the challenge. Even tried to get forwards as much as possible.
CB: John Stones - 7/10 - Made a crunching block on Williams when Spain threatened to get in behind.
CB: Marc Guehi - 7/10 - Showed great awareness to cover those around him whenever Williams or Yamal got beyond their defenders.
LB: Luke Shaw - 9/10 - Went flying into Yamal almost immediately and did a sensational job of keeping Spain's danger man quiet. Regularly seen flying into the Spain box when the space opened up.
DM: Declan Rice - 6/10 - A regular outlet for England's defence and keen to stop Fabian from getting involved. Perhaps a little too cautious in possession.
DM: Kobbie Mainoo - 6/10 - Found it hard to get into the game but did offer some solid moments defensively, including an emphatic challenge on Williams.
RM: Bukayo Saka - 6/10 - Probably the most active of England's attacking midfielders. Always tried to get down the right wing.
AM: Phil Foden - 5/10 - A poor corner and a mistake which nearly led to a Spain chance. Found space hard to come by.
LM: Jude Bellingham - 5/10 - A handful of nice moments but nowhere near as impactful as England needed him to be.
ST: Harry Kane - 5/10 - Led England's press well but once again failed to connect with those around him.
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