Belgium 2-0 England: Player Ratings as Red Devils dump Three Lions out of contention | UEFA Nations League 2020-21

England were knocked out of contention to qualify for the knockout rounds of the UEFA Nations League, after they lost 2-0 to Belgium at the King Power Stadium at Den Dreef, Leuven.

Youri Tielemans opened the scoring for the hosts with a long drive that took a nick off Tyrone Mings on the way in.

The second one came in slightly more contentious circumstances, with Declan Rice not sure he had fouled the opponent. But Dries Mertens stepped up to smash a free-kick past a hapless Pickford, who had no chance of saving it.

While chasing the game after that, England were definitely the better attacking team, and created plenty of half-chances, without taking them.

Here's how each player fared for both teams.

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Belgium Player Ratings

Thibaut Courtois - 6/10

Courtois didn't really have too many big saves to make, with England only hitting tame shots at him. The Real Madrid 'keeper was commanding in catching high balls that England played into the box at times.

Toby Alderweireld - 6/10

Alderweireld, starting on the right side of a back three, did have the likes of Grealish running at him, which didn't make it an easy evening for him. He did deal well enough with that threat, to keep the clean sheet intact.

Jason Denayer - 6/10

Denayer was the one tasked with physically battling Harry Kane throughout the game, and did get the better of the England captain.

Jan Vertonghen - 7/10

Vertonghen was Belgium's best defender on the night. He made some critical interceptions, and vital tackles to deny the likes of Mount and Grealish a clear run at goal.

Thomas Meunier - 5/10

Even though Meunier bombed up and down the flank well enough, he didn't really possess enough quality on the ball throughout the game. He also had trouble dealing with the dribbling ability of Grealish throughout the game.

Axel Witsel - 5/10

Witsel kept making niggly fouls in midfield, as he didn't really deal too well with Kane coming deep and trying to initiate England attacks.

Youri Tielemans - 8/10

This was a polished performance from Tielemans. He didn't really make too many mistakes in possession, he took his goal well, and kept the tempo moving for Roberto Martinez's side in the first half.

Thorgan Hazard - 7/10

Starting a left wing-back, Thorgan Hazard outperformed his counterpart on the other flank. Once Sancho came on, Hazard did really well to shut down his Dortmund team-mate.

Dries Mertens - 8/10

In his hometown, Mertens scored a sensational goal, with a superb free-kick that left Pickford grasping at thin air. He was so comfortable in the game that he even tried to beat Pickford from the halfway line.

Kevin de Bruyne - 6/10

There was the typical De Bruyne genius that shone through at some points of the game. Overall, though, this would not be a game that the Manchester City man would remember too fondly.

Romelu Lukaku - 6/10

Like De Bruyne, Lukaku would also probably forget this game very easily. After setting up Tielemans's opener with a neat layoff, Lukaku struggled to get into the game. His only notable shot of the game came right at the end. He should've scored with that chance, but couldn't get it to curl back enough at the far-post.

Substitutes

Dennis Praet - 5/10

Praet was the only substitute used by Belgium in this game.

England Player Ratings

Jordan Pickford was beaten twice in the England goal

Jordan Pickford - 5/10

This might be harsh, but Pickford could be thought to be at fault for both the Belgium goals. He got his hands to Tielemans's strike without being strong enough. He would also feel that his reach should've been long enough to prevent the ball from nestling in the back of the net.

Kyle Walker - 4/10

Starting as the right-sided centre-back in a back three, Walker was uncomfortable. He couldn't really make the correct passes often enough, His misplaced passes often put England under pressure.

Eric Dier - 4/10

Dier gave the ball away in the build-up to the opening goal. He tried to find Mount in midfield, but Vertonghen had an easy interception and set Belgium off. For a player with Dier's experience, the fact he still makes elementary errors is inexcusable.

Tyrone Mings - 6/10

Mings was the best player in the English back three. He did well against the power and aerial ability of Lukaku. Mings held his own.

Kieran Trippier - 5/10

Defensively, Tripper didn't have much to do, given that Belgium were mostly happy to sit behind the ball themselves. The problem for England was that Tripper didn't get forward enough or challenge the Belgian defenders enough, with his crossing ability.

Jordan Henderson - 5/10

The Liverpool captain was replaced by Harry Winks at half-time, after a half in which he was easily bypassed.

Declan Rice - 6/10

Rice battled well enough in midfield, but his quality let him down. He made a few too many errors with his passing.

Ben Chilwell - 5/10

In another scare for Chelsea, Chilwell went off injured in the first-half.

Mason Mount - 5/10

Mount started on the right of a front three. For no fault of his, he didn't have a great game. In that role, England needed a player with pace and running ability, instead of Mount's supreme passing ability.

Jack Grealish - 7/10

Grealish was England's best player. He dribbled superbly, linked up neatly with the likes of Kane, and gave the Belgian defence a tough time with his movement.

Harry Kane - 5/10

Kane didn't have a great game. One, he was too far away from the goal at most times. Despite the fact that his build-up play has been great so far this season, in today's game, England would have been better off if he stayed as close to the box to try and finish off chances.

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Substitutes

Bukayo Saka - 6/10

Saka's job wouldn't have been easy, having to come on to replace the injured Chilwell in the first half. But Saka himself was excellent, and will hope to have managed to convince Southgate for more starts in future games.

Harry Winks - 6/10

Winks came on to replace Henderson at half-time. Immediately, his energy was a telling factor in England producing a better perofmrnace in the second half.

Jadon Sancho - 4/10

Sancho was poor. He contributed nothing to his side. He also looks woefully short of confidence, which is why we didn't see him attempt some dribbles that we may have seen from him earlier.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin - N/A

He came on for the last 15 minutes or so, and hardly touched the ball.