England vs Germany Player Ratings

England

David James - 5/10 A low score because he let four goals past him but the fact is he is really only at partial fault for Mueller’s first which he let in on the short side. Other than he had no chance on the others and actually made handful of big saves.

Glenn Johnson - 4/10 A complete non entity in the game. Never made any telling runs or crosses and looked very suspect defensively on numerous German counters. Honestly I have never understood what the big deal is about this stiff.

Matthew Upson - 5/10 This grade would not be nearly as high if it were not for his well taken header goal that briefly brought England back in the match. Was found wanting for Klose’s opening goal and was basically nowhere to be found for Mueller’s two goals and countless other strong opportunities Germany squandered.

John Terry - 3/10 This makes me so happy to be able to give my personal least liked player in all of football a major failing grade. He was absent all afternoon and was out of position and caught up field on all four goals scored by Germany. Probably one of the worst performances I have ever seen him give. He was humbled big time and it couldn’t happen to a worse human being.

Ashley Cole - 3/10 Was taken to the cleaners all day by the exceptional Thomas Mueller playing on the right side as well as Philip Lahm overlapping. Cole tried to ignite a few attacks but overall, he was useless and one of those players that needs to go for England to have a an attitude change.

Gareth Barry - 4/10 Did more attacking than defending and for me that was the big difference in the game. He’s not there to attack. But after falling behind early he abandoned his defensive duties and was somewhat useful on attack but was shown for the clown and overrated clown that he is when Ozil out paced him and embarrassed him for Germany’s fourth goal. Bsically, taken to the cleaners defensively. God how this team needed a healthy Hargreaves.

James Milner - 7/10 The single shining light for England all afternoon. No surprise as he is their youngest player. Continually worked hard and got cross after cross in there only to have nobody at home most of the day. Created a few guilt edged chances before he was shockingly substituted for Joe Cole. Now I have nothing against Joe Cole but why take off the team’s best player on the day when taking off Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney or Defoe made more sense. Actually by that time, taking off a defender would have been the smart move but Cabbage Head (that includes his brain) Capello sees the game different than the re rest of us logical peons.

Frank Lampard - 5/10 Some would say he had a good game considering he hit the bar with a fierce long shot and was robbed of a goal with another cracker. But other than those two moments he struggled all game to make his presence felt in the center of midfield. Khedira and especially Schweinsteiger completely neutralized him outside of a two-minute period where England scored and his goal was disallowed. For the rest of the game he was invisible.

Steven Gerrard - 4/10 I saw an effort but I saw very little constructive play from him. Playing him out of position is no way to utilize England’s most talented midfielder. Pretty bland and boring for most of the game.

Jermaine Defoe - 3/10 Sorry but he actually play in the match? I don’t recall ever noticing him. If this player isn’t getting fed early balls to run on he basically is a useless git. Note to Capello……DROP THE STIFF.

Wayne Rooney - 4/10 First of all let me start by saying that Rooney is one of my favorite players period. So it hurts me greatly to speak of him in this manner but for me he has to be the second biggest disappointment in the World Cup after the antics of the French team, which shamed the game. For me Rooney was playing hurt and that he never really felt comfortable having also felt very mentally and physically tired after a long season with Manchester United where his manager played him to death. Injuries and fatigue basically assured us all that Wayne would wear the choke collar very tight during the World Cup. I love the guy but he really has to grow up a bit and he has to learn to control his emotions as well as play with pain or know when to ask for a rest rather than burning himself out before the biggest tournament of his life. A massive disappointment. As for the game, the effort was there but he never ever penetrated the German defense or ever threatened Neuer. A complete non-factor.

Joe Cole - 3/10 Had a bout a half hour to show something but did nothing. In fact Germany exploded as soon as he entered the game. Clearly not in match shape and a real enigma at this point in his career.

Emile Heskey - 2/10 Capello showed what a hopeless idiot he was by bringing the human slug at a time when England we desperate for goals. I think they would have had a better chance to score if they brought in a Carragher or the backup goalkeeper. Why not bring the far superior Peter Crouch instead of this useless fat git? I’ll never as long as I live understand why this guy is on the England team as he isn’t good enough to start in the German amateur leagues. If you haven’t already guessed, I’m not a fan.

SWP - Not worth rating as he basically came in with seconds left to mow the pitch and fix spike divots.

Germany

Manuel Neuer - 6/10 I have to be fair. I personally love this guy and have been dreaming of him joining Manchester United now for over two years. He is truly fantastic but today was not one of his better games. In reality let two soft goals in and another one hot the cross bar but for the rest of the game he was in charge and did deliver a couple of excellent saves. Bottom line is he’s human after all.

Philip Lahm - 8/10 Continually excellent and so damned consistent. Gave Ashley Cole and Gerrard first all day and defended with expertise and his now famous composure.

Per Mertesacker - 8/10 A fantastic performance from the friendly giant. Made up for his lackluster performance vs Ghana with a standout cool as a cucumber showing where he never made any mistakes.

Arne Friedrich - 8/10 For a guy who is 31, Arne is playing like 21. He has not allowed anyone to beat him and when he wins a tackle, he wins it cleanly and then gets the ball and dispatches it with poise and incredible composure. Had a very solid game in which Rooney and Defoe never troubled him or Mertesacker all game.

Jerome Boateng - 7/10 For me he was a surprise starter as I prefer the more defensively conscious Badstuber but Boateng never got a thing wrong. Was very composed in getting the club out of trouble on numerous situations where he seemed cornered. Also made some telling runs up field. Had a bit of a time handling Milner but came out of it fairly unscathed. A pleasant surprise.

Sami Khedira - 8/10 This guy has to be the biggest surprise for me on this team. I bitched and bitched that Low never picked a veteran like Frings or at least a competent backup because of my lack of faith in the defensive minded midfielder. Boy was I wrong. He has been a standout and today’s performance was almost flawless defensively while his presence in attack was really felt.

Bastien Schweinsteiger - 9/10 If not for Mueller, he’d be my player of the match. Just controlled the midfield with added help from Khidira and really neutralized the middle of the park for all but two minutes of the game. His tackles and positioning was superb but his passing and vision was outstanding. A beautiful chip that sent Ozil in alone and then setting up Mueller’s first goal with a great pass. The leader of this team along with Lahm and what’s great is that now he leads by example.

Thomas Mueller - 10/10 OK, many of you may be thinking that I am too generous with my grade here but honestly, I was totally wowed by Mueller’s performance. His running off the ball as well as his great touch passing, finesse, vision and lethal finishing allowed him to put in an almost perfect performance. He was in on three of the four German goals and was involved with at least four other great chances. He completely took Ashley Cole, Gerrard and whoever was on the English left flank took them to town and embarrassed them with his fine array of skills. Scary that this lad was unknown before Louis van Gaal rescued him out of the Bayern reserves and turned him in to a hybrid of his namesake Gerd Mueller and the great Karl Heinz Rummenigge who like him could play midfield, wing or striker. And he’s only 20 playing with the skill, pride and poise of a 30 year old.

Mesut Ozil - 8/10 Along with Mueller he is the man of the tournament so far. And for those who don’t agree, get your head out of your collective asses. This kid is awesome with his vision wide array of passes and his Cruyff like ability to turn on a dime at full speed and still control the ball as if it’s glued to his foot. A superstar for the future and a superstar right now who gave England fits all game with his great runs and pace. Had numerous chances and created chances for others. His crowning moment though was his total humiliation of Gareth Barry for the fourth German goal when he raced by him as if Barry was a parked car.

Lukas Podolski - 7/10 A much better game for Podolski as he got much more involved in the attacking zone and was rewarded with a very well taken goal from a very sharp angle. Didn’t see a lot of theball because Germany made the conscious decision to attack the weaker England left side wherte the overrated A Cole plays as well as the out of position Gerrard. Was always a threat cutting in with his pace and fierce left foot.

Miroslav Klose - 8/10 Simply outstanding all game as he continues to prove his critics wrong. This guy like Podolski should make Germany their club team because etheir form for the Mannschaft is light years ahead of their club form. Klose was simply brilliant against England. Scored a wonderful goal that only a true poacher could manufacture and his passing and vision set up other opportunities all game while his second really good scoring chance was brilliantly saved by James. I also loved his long range clearing ball that bfound Ozil on the run on the left side that led to the fourth goal. Way to go Miro, you are defying the odds and making a legend out of your name. Twelve World Cup goals now says it all unless I also mention he has scored 50 goals in 99 internationals too. A true legend.

Mario Gomez - 3/10 In fairness he came in when the game had already been one and Germany had turned off the jets and respected England enough to not try and rub it in. Still, I can’t dismiss the fact that this guy bores the crap out of me and that he is a total waste of time and space. I hope Bayern sell him.

Piotr Trochowski - 6/10 Showed some real energy but the game was already won and he was basically ordered to just keep control of the ball which he did.

Stefan Kiessling - To little time to rate him. But he was better than the entire England team.

Finally, let me say a few words about the managers. To Joachim Low I congratulate him on a masterful game plan and tactics that totally uncovered the age and weaknesses of the English team. Also, he should be praised for showing no fear regarding England and letting Germany come out and attack with pace and finesse on the counter. Similar to the great job of counter attacking football Inter Milan displayed in the Champions League under Mourinho. As for Cabbage Face Capello, the less said the better I think.