Mainoo makes first senior England start
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo made his first senior international start for England on Tuesday, as he was named in Gareth Southgate's line-up against Belgium at Wembley.
The Three Lions drew 2-2, thanks to goals from Ivan Toney and Jude Bellingham, with Youri Tielemans netting twice during the first-half for Domenico Tedesco's men. United's Marcus Rashford was an unused substitute.
Kobbie impressed for all of 74 minutes before he was eventually replaced by Tottenham's James Maddison and, according to WhoScored.com, he completed 42 of his 47 attempted passes, with a success rate of 89 per cent overall on the evening.
Partnering captain for the night Declan Rice in midfield, Mainoo will have benefitted even further from his endeavours with England over the last couple of weeks.
Kobbie's impact didn't go unnoticed by his team-mates either, with Jude Bellingham being asked about 18-year-old's performance.
"He was good tonight," said the Real Madrid midfielder to Channel 4.
"I know how hard it can be when there is there is clamour and people put pressure on you.
"He is a brilliant player and I am sure he is going to have a great career at Manchester United, and hopefully for England as well."
Kobbie Mainoo's 🥇 start for England vs. Belgium:
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 27, 2024
89% pass accuracy
42 passes completed
3 fouls drawn
2/3 tackles won
2 chances created
1 interception
1 shot
England's Player of the Match. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/zJ54bjpKDX
✨🏴 Kobbie Mainoo has been awarded with the England Player of the Match… on his first start ever. pic.twitter.com/miyr2WCc2Y
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 26, 2024
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg opened the scoring after just eight minutes before half-time introduction Eriksen teed up Mohamed Daramy to make sure of the victory.
Rasmus Hojlund joined the fray in the closing stages to take tally of international appearances to 11.
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Diogo Dalot and Portugal were beaten 2-0 by Slovenia, as Adam Gnezda Cerin and Timi Elsnik both found the net in the second half for the hosts. The United right-back Diogo threatened down the Portugal right throughout, but was unable to help Roberto Martinez's side penetrate the stern Slovenia defence.
Scott McTominay also tasted defeat, with Scotland, with Conor Bradley's first-half strike earning Northern Ireland a 1-0 victory at Hampden Park.
Facundo Pellistri, on loan at Granada from United, started for Uruguay as La Celeste were beaten 2-1 in the Ivory Coast.
Sofyan Amrabat's Morocco host Mauritania at 22:00 GMT on Tuesday, before Alejandro Garnacho's Argentina take on Costa Rica at 02:45 GMT on Wednesday.