Gareth Southgate picked Kobbie Mainoo to start against Slovakia and has not looked back. Today, the Three Lions fought their way into a second-straight Euro Final. Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins got the goals, but let’s dive into the incredible midfield performance of 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo.
In attack, Mainoo logged an xA of 0.22, though his first-half chance for Phil Foden should have been finished. With 36/42 passes completed, he ended yet another match above 85% passing, showcasing his composure on the ball and his value in possession.
Defensively, Mainoo won three duels, two interceptions, two tackles, and blocked a shot. His box-to-box value for England cannot be understated. At just 19, Mainoo bossed a midfield in a Euro Semi-Final by controlling possession and providing extra defensive stability ahead of the English backline.
These incredible stats show the value of Kobbie Mainoo already for his nation. In this win, he became the youngest player to start a major tournament Semi-Final for England. After these performances, he is a lock to start the Final and every other tournament match for a long, long time.
Mainoo and his England teammates will now look ahead to a high-profile Final against another young player, Lamine Yamal, and his nation, Spain. Can Kobbie Mainoo help England finally bring it home?
United Beyond Manchester 
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