Daniel Sturridge’s stoppage time goal earned England a come-from-behind 2-1 win against rivals Wales.
Gareth Bale’s 43rd minute free kick had put Chris Coleman’s side into a shock lead, but Roy Hodgson rung the changes at the break. It paid dividends as Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge stole the show by changing England’s forward dynamic as a whole, and scoring the goals to push England to the top of group B.
Despite the result, a number of key players failed to shine as the winners dominate this list.
Raheem Sterling
In November 2015, Roy Hodgson said: “If you want to keep your place in the team you have to be playing to a very high level, especially when other people are doing well around you,” he said.
Not only was Sterling completely undeserving of his spot in the starting XI, the merit surrounding his place in the squad is debatable.
Pointing to Sterling’s miserly six goals in 31 Premier League appearances might be harsh criticism, but his assist tally of 12 is a sub-par contribution to a team which scored 115 goals across all league and cup competitions.
Not only did the 21-year-old squander England’s best chance of the first half, he was wasteful in possession and needs to develop his decision making in the final third if his game is to reach an elite level.
Joe Hart
Football is a harsh game. The Manchester City captain made one error on the night, albeit an absolute howler, and it nearly cost his side dearly.
Bale’s effort from all of 35 yards was innocuous. It was accurate, but not particularly powerful, or high, or anywhere near the corner. Vardy and Sturridge spared his blushes on the night, however.
Harry Kane
Hooked, like Sterling, after 45 minutes. Hodgson recognised the need to introduce some unpredictability and pace to the final third by bringing on Vardy and Sturridge, and Kane was a victim of circumstance.
As England toiled and eventually went behind, the Tottenham star found it increasingly difficult to get involved and was well shackled by the Welsh defence.
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