WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT

HOT RADAMEL FALCAO

The Colombia striker was so poor during his short time at Manchester United that players commented that he couldn’t even run properly. Three years on and the great South American is reborn and his superb outside of the foot finish against Poland should serve as a warning as to what England can expect in Moscow on Tuesday.

JOS BUTTLER

Buttler averages only 35 in Test matches which is probably why he has played in only 20. But if there is a more imaginative and naturally talented batsman in the country then they must be hiding somewhere. The Lancashire star once feared his Test career was over, but his success in the shorter format can act as a springboard to prove it is actually only just starting.

ALBERT RIERA

The Spanish winger will be remembered by fans of Liverpool, Manchester City and Watford only, after three average spells in English football. But the 36-year-old is making a new career for himself as a pundit on Russian TV during World Cup 2018. Riera played in seven different countries but never in Russia. He does, however, have a Russian wife.

NOT JAVIER MASCHERANO

The former Liverpool and West Ham midfielder has placed himself front and centre of the revolt against Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli so how foolish he looked when he invited Nigeria back in to the teams’ crucial group game in St Petersburg by giving away a penalty. If you are going to lead the revolution then it helps if you get your own lines right.

WOJCIECH SZCZESNY

Once a very average Arsenal goalkeeper, the Pole is now second choice at Juventus. That did not stop him revelling in the Italian team’s defeat of Tottenham in the Champions League which seemed a little classless. Now the 28-year-old is back home after an abysmal World Cup. He never looked good enough in the Premier League and little has changed.

MARCUS RASHFORD

The striker is gifted, but may have to leave Manchester United to make the most of himself. Against Belgium he wasted England’s best chance and it wasn’t the fact that Thibaut Courtois saved his shot that reflected badly. It was the fact he didn’t lift his head to see a team-mate in space in front of an open goal to his right.