England player ratings vs. Serbia – England had a dream night in Belgrade during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Three Lions, under Thomas Tuchel, secured a 5-0 victory over Serbia, securing a commanding lead in their group. With five wins from five matches, England have largely secured their place in the tournament.
Match Summary: England dominate from start to finish
Despite the intense atmosphere at Rajko Mitic Stadium, England started the game quickly. Harry Kane’s header opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. Just two minutes later, Noni Madueke scored a stunning goal after a well-organized pass from Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers.
The tempo didn’t slow down in the second half. Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi extended their lead with goals, but Nikola Milenkovic’s red card sent Serbia into a tailspin. Marcus Rashford had the final say with a penalty: 5-0.
England player ratings vs Serbia
Goalkeeper & Defense
- Jordan Pickford (6/10): Didn’t struggle, came forward with a long pass that started the attack for the second goal.
- Reece James (6/10): Balanced game, made no mistakes defensively.
- Marc Guehi (7/10): He gave confidence and scored his goal.
- Ezri Konsa (7/10): He was effective in both defence and attack and scored the crucial goal.
- Tino Livramento (6/10): His defensive contribution was significant, but his attacking performance was limited.
Midfielder
- Declan Rice (8/10): Led the midfield, making the difference with two assists.
- Elliot Anderson (7/10): Energetic play, contributed to the second goal.
- Morgan Rogers (8/10): He earned plaudits for his clever move before his assist to Madueke.
Attack
- Noni Madueke (8/10): Constantly threatening, scored a classy goal.
- Harry Kane (6/10): Scored the opening goal, did his job.
- Anthony Gordon (8/10): Made the difference with his endless energy, played a key role in Konsa’s goal.
Backups
- Marcus Rashford (7/10): He settled the score with a penalty.
- Ollie Watkins (7/10): Caught offside but created the penalty.
- Djed Spence & Jarrod Bowen (6/10): They made a positive contribution.
- Jordan Henderson (N/A): Came on in the final minutes.
Technical Director
Thomas Tuchel (7/10): Responded to criticism on the pitch, dominating both the score and the game with his bold attacking football.
Analysis: The Tuchel effect
The highlight of England’s remarkable victory was the dynamism Tuchel instilled in his team. The midfield trio of Rice, Anderson, and Rogers dominated the game, while the attacking lineup of Madueke, Kane, and Gordon constantly challenged the opposition’s defense. Madueke’s performance, in particular, demonstrated his potential as England’s new attacking star.

