Dismal England thumped 4-0 by Hungary in worst defeat of modern era - ratings and analysis

Gareth Southgate’s England woes went from bad to worse with a humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Hungary – their worst of the modern era.

Despite his side enjoying most of the ball, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock with just 16 minutes played when, from a free kick, the ball came loose for Roland Sallai to blast home at the back post.

It seemed like the same old story for Southgate’s men from there on out. They enjoyed a lot of possession but failed to do anything meaningful with it, something typified when Harry Kane put too much on a ball for Bukayo Saka as they broke three on two in the 35th minute.

Booed off at half-time, England subbed Raheem Sterling on for Jarrod Bowen and switched to a wing-back system in the hope of stretching their opponents more. Yet as the clock ticked on, the same recycling of possession went on and on and the crowd grew restless with the failure to create.

And no wonder, as on 68 minutes – after Phillips miscontrolled the ball and then missed a tackle – Hungary broke on the counter and doubled their lead through Sallai.

England continued to attack, with Kane hitting the bar on 77 minutes, but it was not long before Hungary made it 3-0 with 10 to play. Again they broke against a sloppy home defence that failed to pick up their men, and again they took advantage as Zsolt Nagy drilled home.

The night had by then taken on the atmosphere of a farce and John Stones was undeservedly red carded for a second yellow on 82 minutes. Three soon became four in the 89th minute as Daniel Gazdag broke and coolly dinked Aaron Ramsdale.

In the end, it was the ringing boos and chants of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ that said the most about an awful night for England.

Aaron Ramsdale: Ramsdale should have done better for Hungary’s third and fourth on a poor night. 4

Kyle Walker: Walker had limited impact offensively or defensively throughout. 4

John Stones: England’s most senior centre-half failed to clear the free-kick that fell to Hungary for the opener and was then sent off for a second yellow late on. However undeserved, it summed up his night. 4

Marc Guehi: Guehi had limited impact and showed little of his impressive club form. 5

Reece James: Having switched flanks from the Italy game, James got forward well as England enjoyed their best play down the left in the first half. He switched to the right after half-time and played more as a wing-back, again doing well, but conceding four means he can merit no more than a five. 5

Conor Gallagher: Gallagher spread the play well and delivered accurate balls into the box but created no gilt-edged chances, being subbed off on 55 minutes. 5

Kalvin Phillips: Phillips struggled to transition the ball at pace – a real contributor to the failure to create. He was then at fault as Hungary broke for their second. 3

Jarrod Bowen: The West Ham winger got forward well in the first half but failed to create anything. He was subbed off at half-time. 5

Jude Bellingham: Though sloppy in the tackle at times, Bellingham made good runs into the box often until being taken off on 68 minutes. Probably England’s best on the night, though that’s no great achievement. 6

Bukayo Saka: Some good moments but the Arsenal man was off the pace and created nothing of real quality. 4

Harry Kane: No real chances and played a poor ball into Saka when England broke on 35 minutes. Not good enough from the talisman. 5

Raheem Sterling: Subbed on for Bowen at half-time, Sterling added more gusto up front but created no real moments of quality. 5

Mason Mount: Mount replaced Gallagher just before the hour mark but could not change the game. 5

Phil Foden: Brought on for Bellingham, Foden was tricky but ultimately did little. 5

Harry Maguire: An 85th minute sub for Saka, Maguire was brought on to make sure the result did not get any worse. He was rooted as Hungary broke and bypassed him for 4-0. 4