England Dominates Serbia in World Cup Qualifier
England achieved their fifth consecutive victory in the World Cup 2026 qualifying round with a decisive 5-0 win over Serbia. But which players stood out during the match?
BBC Sport's senior football correspondent, Sami Mokbel, evaluates the players' performances in Belgrade on Tuesday, and readers can also find how BBC Sport users rated them at the end of this article.
Starting XI
Jordan Pickford: Had little to do as England controlled the game from the outset. He will not be complaining. Rating: 6
Reece James: Consistently delivered quality from the right side, and his ability to play two matches in quick succession is promising given his injury history. Rating: 6.5
Ezri Konsa: Made one mistake in the first half while England was 2-0 up, but overall, he delivered a solid performance, scoring his first international goal as well. Rating: 7
Marc Guehi: Is he now England's most crucial central defender, especially with John Stones sidelined? He played flawlessly and also scored for England. Rating: 7.5
Tino Livramento: The versatile full-back effectively partnered with Newcastle teammate Anthony Gordon on the left, exhibiting energy and a good balance between defense and attack. Rating: 7
Elliot Anderson: Delivered a controlled performance in central midfield, seemingly solidifying his place in the squad. It was an encouraging week for the Nottingham Forest player. Rating: 8
Declan Rice: Appears to have fully transitioned to a number eight role for both club and country, with the freedom to advance. His set-piece delivery contributed to two of England’s five goals. Rating: 8.5
Noni Madueke: Emerging as a key player for Thomas Tuchel, he provided an assist against Andorra and scored his first goal for England here. A significant few days for the Arsenal winger. Rating: 7.5
Morgan Rogers: Showed great promise with an impactful display, creating opportunities in the final third and assisting Madueke's goal. Rating: 7.5
Anthony Gordon: Was lively down the left side and provided the penetration that England lacked against Andorra, justifying his selection. Rating: 7
Harry Kane: Continues to score for both club and country, proving just as vital for the national team as he was five years ago. Rating: 7
Substitutes
Djed Spence (for James 69): Made his England debut and integrated seamlessly at right-back. Rating: 6
Marcus Rashford (for Gordon 69): Confidently converted a penalty to cap the score at five. Rating: 7
Jarrod Bowen (for Madueke 76): Brought energy and persistence on the right flank. Rating: 6
Ollie Watkins (for Kane 76): Finally made an appearance after missing the previous match. Rating: 6
Jordan Henderson (for Rice 81): Contributed to England's smooth victory. Rating: 6
How BBC Sport Readers Rated the Players