Player ratings: Declan Rice provided a protective barrier but Kyle Walker was undone late on

England were denied victory at the death in Poland as substitute Damian Szymanski cancelled out Harry Kane‘s stunner in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier.

Fresh from back-to-back 4-0 victories against Hungary and Andorra, the Three Lions rounded off their September triple-header by heading to Warsaw for what was always going to be their toughest Group I assignment.

England put in a mature performance and Kane silenced the partisan Polish crowd with a fine strike from distance, only for the hosts to roar back as Szymanski secured a 1-1 draw in stoppage time.

Sportsmail’s Daniel Matthews rated the players on Wednesday night. 

Declan Rice produced another disciplined display and provided a protective barrier

ENGLAND (4-2-3-1)

JORDAN PICKFORD – 6 

Rarely called upon during early spell of Poland pressure but out quickly to save from Lewandowski’s lifted effort. Then almost cost England a goal, needlessly allowing late kick to be charged down.

KYLE WALKER – 5.5

Offered England little attacking thrust down the right flank but had looked as assured as ever defensively until he was undone by brilliant Moder turn which sparked Poland’s last-gasp equaliser.

JOHN STONES – 7.5

Targeted by the brilliant Lewandowski throughout but rarely allowed the Poland striker to hurt England in dangerous areas. Shook off first-half injury and heroic display deserved a clean sheet.

HARRY MAGUIRE – 6.5

Withstood testing first half and then almost made the breakthrough at the other end, only for his second-half header to hit the post. Booked during melee at the end of the first half.

England defender John Stones dealt well with the threat of striker Robert Lewandowski

LUKE SHAW – 6.5

Grew as an attacking threat, even if his delivery from the left too often came to nothing. Beaten in the air by Szymanski for Poland’s stoppage-time equaliser but little he could do.

KALVIN PHILLIPS – 6.5

Deserves credit after harsh early booking and ragged start. Improved greatly and stayed disciplined. Did waste glorious chance to put Kane through and slow to close down Lewandowski’s cross for the equaliser.

DECLAN RICE – 7.5

Midfield shield offered vital protection and positional intelligence during Poland’s early pressure. Another disciplined, unglamorous performance which afforded England a platform to turn the screw after the break.

RAHEEM STERLING – 6.5

Lacked service and support at times but still created England’s clearest chance in the first half – working space to pick out Kane inside the area. Always looked a threat inside the area.

Kalvin Phillips started slowly, particularly in possession, but improved greatly after the break

MASON MOUNT – 6.5

Clever movement into pockets of space helped England build attacks throughout. Just lacked finishing touches. Will kick himself for failing to clear England’s lines before the late equaliser. 

JACK GREALISH – 6.5

Frustrating night at times for the winger, who wasn’t helped by some awful officiating. Two flashes of brilliance either side of half time created half-chances that went begging.

HARRY KANE – 7

Misdirected a free header in the first half and, too often, England’s captain dropped too deep. Then he found a rocket out of nowhere. That’s what great strikers do.

Striker Harry Kane dropped deep in an effort to get involved but then unleashed a rocket

MANAGER: Gareth Southgate – 6

Made 11 changes and who could argue with that ploy – or this selection – for 90-odd minutes. But why did he not turn to his bench to close out this game?

POLAND (4-4-2): Szczesny 5; Dawidowicz 6.5, Glik 5.5, Bednarek 6.5, Puchacz 6.5; Jozwiak 6.5, Linetty 6, Krychowiak 8 (Szymanski 68, 8), Moder 8; Buksa 6.5 (Swiderski 63, 6), Lewandowski 8.5

Subs not used: Piatkowski, Kedziora, Helik, Skorupski, Rybus, Zalewski, Kaminski, Slisz, Frankowski, Dragowski

REFEREE: Daniel Siebert (GER) 3

Awful early on. Could have flipped a coin and had more luck choosing the right decision. Fortunately for everyone, he improved.