Marcus Rashford was once again given a chance to prove himself, but he failed to make a significant impact.
If you were picking your England starting eleven for the next World Cup today, it`s unlikely Rashford would be in it.
Rashford`s underwhelming performance in the 3-0 victory over Latvia mirrored his struggles at club level in recent seasons.
Despite statistics suggesting he created six chances, his influence on the game felt minimal.
The Manchester United player, currently on loan at Aston Villa, started positively, using his pace to trouble the Latvian defense.
He seemed to be responding to criticism about his directness, but the crucial final ball was missing. After switching wings in the second half, he saw little of the ball before being substituted.
Rashford isn`t the only England player struggling to make a difference in the final third in recent matches.
However, competition for his left-wing position isn`t as fierce as it once was.
While Jack Grealish`s career has stalled and Phil Foden hasn`t consistently shone for England, Anthony Gordon, currently injured, might be ahead of Rashford in the pecking order.
Eberechi Eze also showed promise on the left wing in a substitute appearance.
Rashford still has a chance to prove himself, partly because the England manager seems keen to see him succeed.
The manager has given Rashford consecutive starts, a rarity for him lately, highlighting his declining status.
Despite a short-term contract and the emergence of new talents, the manager appears to value experience, which Rashford, with 62 caps, possesses.
The manager even praised Rashford`s work rate at Villa, an area often criticized during his time at United.
It`s still early in his Villa loan spell. In nine appearances, he`s only started twice and hasn`t scored yet. His last goal was in December for United.
Against Latvia, when Rashford got past his defender, his final pass let him down. Later, switching flanks, he played a minor role in a goal but remained largely uninvolved.
Perhaps a lack of match fitness is a factor.
Despite his recent form, Rashford is likely to be included in the England squad for the upcoming June games.
Considering his recent struggles, both on and off the pitch, Rashford is fortunate to still be in the England setup.
Whether he can capitalize on this opportunity remains to be seen.
