Both Joleon Lescott and Samir Nasri were on target for their respective teams as England and France battled out to a 1-1 draw. Here, we take a look at how the players fared at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk on Monday.
FRANCE
Hugo Lloris – 6
With England having just one attempt on goal, he was largely untrouble. He was dominant in his own penalty area and managed to deal with England’s crosses easily. Joleon Lescott’s header from a Steven Gerrard did beat him in the first half, but he had no chance to stop it.
Matthieu Debuchy – 7.5
Debuchy was one of France’s star for this match. He was very dangerous making his overlapping runs and going forward, at the same time he did his defensive duties very well. He coped well with the threat of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and kept him at bay for the whole game, and then later also dealt well with Ashley Young.
Philippe Mexes – 6
Was lucky Welbeck didn’t get many chances to take on the French defence. It’s very well known that Mexes lacks pace and if Rooney was playing the AC Milan defender could have been in huge trouble. Made an important clearance from a James Milner cross towards the end of the game.
Adil Rami – 6
There was some discussion at the start of the match whether Rami should play or Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny, but the Valencia man proved his doubters wrong as he put in a solid display in the center of the defence. Like Mexes, he was largely untroubled by the English attack for most of the game.
Patrice Evra – 6.5
Gave away the needless foul which lead to Lescott’s opener from the resulting Gerrard freekick. Otherwise the Manchester United left back had a steady game. He was stable defensively and at the same time good going forward.
Alou Diarra – 6
He is only there because of the injury to Yann M’Vila. He was at fault for England’s opener, as he let Lescott get in front of him and head the ball past Lloris. Made a couple of good tackles here and there, and troubled Hart with a powerful header from a Samir Nasri freekick in the first half, but otherwise he was not involved a lot in the game.
Yohan Cabaye – 7 (Sub Off 84′)
Put in a very good display, as he was the link between the defence and the attack for France. Delivered a couple of dangerous corners and put in a couple of dangerous through balls but his team couldn’t make any good use of it. Came close of scoring, with one superb volley, taken on the rise, which was deflected just wide.
Florent Malouda – 5 (Sub Off 85′) (Flop of the Match)
Continued with his Chelsea form, as he was very anonymous almost the complete game. The former Lyon winger lacks the pace to the trouble the opposition defence and saw very little of the ball. Was substituted in the 85th minute.
Samir Nasri – 8 (Man of the Match)
Was the best player on the pitch. The Manchester City man scored his country’s equaliser, beating club teammate Joe Hart and was the heart of every chance France created to threaten the English defence. Enjoyed playing in center role just behind Karim Benzema and is one of players to keep an eye on during this tournament.
Franck Ribery – 7.5
Was very impressive and continued his club form for his country. Like Nasri, he was the heart of the French attack. He worked hard through out the game by cutting inside from the wings but was largely left frustrated by the English defence. He will be credited with an assist to his name, as it was him who passed it to Nasri.
Karim Benzema – 7.5
France’s main target man didn’t get on the scoresheet but had a lively game. He was kept quite by the solid defensive pairing of John Terry and Joleon Lescott but managed to trouble Hart with a couple of long-range efforts.
Subs
Hatem Ben Arfa (Sub On 84′) – N/A
Marvin Martin (Sub On 85′) – N/A
ENGLAND
Joe Hart – 7
The England keeper was by far the busier of the two keepers and made several smart saves to keep his side in the game. He would be disappointed for letting Nasri’s shot beat him at near post but that was the only blight in an otherwise blameless performance.
Glen Johnson – 7
The Liverpool right-back had a good game. He did very well by not giving Ribery a lot of space to run with and was also one of England’s threat going forward. But still he could improve on his crosses.
John Terry – 7
Terry was an imposing figure at the back of the English defence, using all his experience to contain the threat of Karim Benzema. He marshaled his troops and ensured that the English defence kept their shape.
Joleon Lescott – 7
Made sure that Gary Cahill’s absence was not felt at all. Was very sound defensive alongside John Terry and also was good in the air. He showcased his aerial abilities by scoring England’s opener from a brilliant Steven Gerrard freekick.
Ashley Cole – 6.5
Was troubled a lot through out the game especially by the dangerous overlapping runs of Debuchy, but as always used his experienced and coped up well with them. Made several timely tackles to break up the French attack.
James Milner – 6
He was selected ahead of Theo Walcott just to help Johnson out with his defensive duties and he did well against the threat of Ribery. Was, however, poor going forward and didn’t cause any threat at all to Patrice Evra and was also guilty of missing a glorious opportunity in the first half.
Scott Parker – 6.5 (Sub Off 78′)
Parker was quietly effective in his role as the anchorman and by throwing himself around to block a couple of shots. Combined well with Gerrard to deny France their second goal. Got tired towards the end and was replaced by Jordan Henderson.
Steven Gerrard – 8
Was England’s best man on the field. The skipper was an inspirational figure and delivered a brilliant freekick which led to Joleon Lescott’s headed opener. He is a dangerous man going forward but was probably told by Hodgson to sit back a bit and help Parker with the defending. He did his defensive duties very well, clearing a dangerous Evra cross and later heading away a curling Benzema shot in the second half.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6 (Sub Off 77′)
Was a surprise inclusion ahead of Walcott and Downing but the 18-year-old did not justify his selection with an unexceptional display. Showed some flashes of brilliance but was overall subdued and easily bullied off the ball.
Ashley Young – 6
Young had a mediocre game by his own standards as he played up front, just behind Danny Welbeck but was always a threat to French defence while going forward. Didn’t create much except for that wonderful through ball to James Milner, who was unable to capitalize on the chance after beating Lloris.
Danny Welbeck – 7 (Sub Off 90′)
Welbeck was sharp throughout the game and completely justified his selection ahead of Andy Carroll and Jermain Defoe. His movement on and off the ball was perfect and came back often to see more of the ball and to get involved in the game. Didn’t get many chance to proud a save from Lloris or trouble the French defence.
Subs
Jermain Defoe (Sub On 77′) – N/A
Jordan Henderson (Sub On 78′) – N/A
Theo Walcott (Sub On 90′) – N/A
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