England Under-21 player ratings: Emile Smith Rowe unlucky to be hooked; Eddie Nketiah, Oliver Skipp struggle

Portugal v England - 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
The FA via Getty Images

England are facing an early exit from the European Under-21 Championship after they lost 2-0 to Portugal on another dismal night for Aidy Boothroyd’s side.

Here is how Jack Rosser rated the Young Lions...

Aaron Ramsdale 5

Couldn't do much about either goal but not the most assured display between the sticks.

Japhet Tanganga 5

Caught upfield for the opening goal, didn't offer anything going forwards.

Ben Godfrey 6

A couple of crucial interventions early on, hardly at fault for the goals.

Marc Guehi 5

Early interventions made a big difference but gave away a penalty at a crucial time in the second half.

Steven Sessegnon 6

Solid enough defensively but struggled to do too much going forward. Combined well with brother Ryan in first half.

Screened well enough but has to do more to drive England forward.

Tom Davies 4

Tried to inject some zip into England's play from midfield but not often enough. Needed to do more going forward.

Unfortunate to be hooked at half time by Boothroyd. Much improved playing centrally and was England's best player in the first half.

Noni Madueke 5

Confident and energetic on his debut at this level but looked raw and indecisive in the final third.

Ryan Sessegnon 5

Got into some good positions down the left but offered very little in terms of end product.

Barely had a kick again. Partly the fault of Boothroyd but Nketiah perhaps showing why he's had so little game time at Arsenal.

Substitutes

Eberechi Eze 6

Looked to have added some spark to proceedings when the game was level but couldn't really get England ticking.

Dwight McNeil 4

Offered next to nothing after replacing Ryan Sessegnon.

Curtis Jones n/a

Conor Gallager n/a

Rhian Brewster n/a

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