Manchester United wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo was selected to start his first Euro 2024 game, in the knockout rounds.
After an uninspiring Euro 2024 for England so far, Kobbie Mainoo was thrown into the starting line-up and asked to save Gareth Southgate’s side.
Surrounded by a team lacking co-ordination, Mainoo stood out as the one England player actually performing to a high standard through the first 84 minutes.
England eventually won 2-1, scoring in injury-time and then extra-time, coming to life after Ivan Toney replaced Phil Foden in the 90th minute.
Kobbie Mainoo numbers v Slovakia
Kobbie Mainoo completed 65 of 68 passes in England’s midfield at an accuracy for 96 per cent.
It underlined his composure in a game where the Three Lions struggled to break down a Slovakia team who had taken a shock early lead.
Mainoo was confident in possession, taking 77 touches in total, and eager to take players on, and evade losing possession.
He created one goalscoring opportunity, attempted one shot at goal, and came close to winning a penalty in the second half when his surging run saw him brought down on the edge of the box.
Mainoo won four duels out of six contested and made one interception. He may be just 19, but he looked at home on the international stage.
How the national press reacted to Kobbie Mainoo’s performance
We have rounded up how the newspapers reacted to the Manchester United wonderkid’s performance in England’s comeback win.
The Telegraph rated his performance as a 7/10, noting how he regained his composure ‘brilliantly’ after an early booking.
The Independent also rated Mainoo as a 7/10, writing: “His positivity and deft touches on the ball were refreshing in the middle for England.”
The Standard gave Mainoo a 7/10, calling him “England’s brightest player by a mile”.
The Sun awarded Mainoo a 6/10, with Sky Sports giving him a 7, branding him a ‘shining light’.
England will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals, with Mainoo in a strong positon to retain his starting sport.
