Kobbie Mainoo gives England something different, says Gareth Southgate after Belgium draw

LONDON – Kobbie Mainoo gives England a different profile of midfield player, manager Gareth Southgate said on March 26 as he weighs up his options for Euro 2024 after his side salvaged a 2-2 draw against Belgium.

Jude Bellingham struck in stoppage time after a Youri Tielemans double had threatened a smash-and-grab victory in an entertaining friendly at Wembley.

Manchester United’s Mainoo, who is only 18 and who made his debut as a substitute in England’s 1-0 defeat by Brazil on March 23, impressed again in a midfield three with Bellingham and Arsenal’s Declan Rice.

It was a performance that earned strong praise from his manager.

“He gives us a different profile of midfield player to anything else we’ve got and we’re really pleased with what he’s done,” Southgate said.

“You can’t believe his age really. His attributes are there for everybody to see – that ability to receive under pressure and ride challenges, to manipulate the ball in tight areas.”

The England boss also singled out West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen and Brentford’s Ivan Toney for praise, both of whom may have forced their way into England’s 23-man squad for the upcoming European Championship in Germany.

Toney, who started up front in captain Harry Kane’s absence, scored England’s first equaliser from the penalty spot after being brought down by Jan Vertonghen following excellent build-up play from Mainoo and Bellingham.

“At 18, I was probably playing on the Xbox and he is out there being a man and playing for England,” Toney said of Mainoo on Sky Sports News.

“He just glides with the ball and I’m sure there’s more to come from him and he will go right to the top.”

Injuries to several first-team regulars – Kane being the most significant – have hampered Southgate’s squad, but he also acknowledged the benefit of being able to offer other players more game time.

“Definitely some players have emerged positively from the opportunities they’ve had,” he said.

“So we’ve perhaps got more depth in one respect, but the injuries are a concern.

“We’ve got so many players missing and we’ve still got the real heat of the season to come... we’re not going to know what we’re left with until right at the end.”

Elsewhere, Brazil also snatched a late leveller to share an entertaining and occasionally heated 3-3 friendly draw with Spain as youngsters Lamine Yamal and Endrick dazzled.

Lucas Paqueta fired home a stoppage-time penalty to deny La Roja victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Spain captain Rodri scored two heavily debated penalties of his own, while Dani Olmo also netted for the Spaniards.

Brazil’s goals came from Rodrygo and Endrick, before Paqueta saved the day in the thrilling encounter.

France rallied from an early deficit to beat Chile 3-2, thanks to goals from Youssouf Fofana, Randal Kolo Muani and Oliver Giroud at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome.

Angel di Maria, Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martinez rescued Argentina as the world champions came from behind to beat Costa Rica 3-1 in another friendly in Los Angeles. REUTERS, AFP