Albania 0-2 England: Player ratings as Kane & Mount secure comfortable victory

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Goals from Harry Kane and Mason Mount gave England a routine 2-0 win over Albania in Group I of World Cup qualifying on Sunday evening.

After surviving an early scare, England took a first half lead through Kane who met Luke Shaw’s cross with a well-timed header.

After the break the visitors stepped up the intensity and got their reward when Raheem Sterling forced a mistake out of their opponents. This allowed Kane to slide Mount through and the Chelsea midfielder lifted the ball into the top corner.

The victory means England top their World Cup qualifying group after two games with six points and a goal difference of plus seven.

Here are your Three Lions player ratings from Tirana…

Luke Shaw, Elseid Hysaj, Sokol CikalleshiLuke Shaw, Elseid Hysaj, Sokol Cikalleshi
Shaw enjoyed his return to the side | Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images

Nick Pope (GK) – 6/10 – No saves to make at all. Surely he should be working from home?

Kyle Walker (RB) – 7/10 – Picked up a silly yellow card in the second half. He was good other than that, helping out in attack with his constant overlaps.

John Stones (CB) – 7/10 – A few loose passes aside, this was a fine return to the fray. The couple of times Albania managed to get in behind will worry Southgate, though this was probably not Stones‘ fault.

Harry Maguire (CB) – 7/10 – Stepped into midfield to help his side circulate possession. Dominant in the air and bounced back bravely after Pope clobbered him in the second half.

Luke Shaw (LB) – 8/10 – Exemplary. Set up Kane’s goal with an excellent cross and was solid defensively, winning the majority of his duels.

FBL-WC-2022-EUR-QUALIFIERS-ALB-ENGFBL-WC-2022-EUR-QUALIFIERS-ALB-ENG
Rice did well in holding midfield | OZAN KOSE/Getty Images

Declan Rice (CM) – 8/10 – Provided England with a solid base. Barely misplaced a pass and also broke up play effectively.

Kalvin Phillips (CM) – 6/10 – Not quite as tidy or imperious as Rice. Created one chance but sometimes felt like a spare part as England enjoyed so much possession.

Mason Mount (CM) – 8/10 – Popped up all over the place in a free midfield role and took his goal excellently. Recovered from an early error to put in a solid defensive shift as well, winning nine of his 12 duels.

Albania vs England Albania vs England
Kane took his goal well | OZAN KOSE/Getty Images

Phil Foden (RW) – 7/10 – Manhandled by Albania at times but that did not stop him. No goal involvements but he was always lively.

Harry Kane (ST) – 8/10 – Showed great movement for the goal and was only denied another in the first half by the woodwork. His second half yellow card was as soft a decision as you will ever see.

Raheem Sterling (LW) – 7/10 – A couple of really bright moments where he showed off his close control. Very nearly set up Kane and Foden, while his interception led to the second goal.

James Ward-Prowse – 6/10 – Kept things tidy for the last 20 minutes.

Jesse Lingard – 6/10 – Not massively involved after coming on.

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