da bwin： Gareth Southgate had a string of issues to overcome in the most-recent international break, but who emerged with something to smile about?

da betsson： Gareth Southgate was dealt a difficult hand for England's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. Not only did the Three Lions boss lose a host of experienced heads at various points in the international break, with Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson, Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker and John Stones all going down at various points, he was also unable to cast an eye over several prospects for Euro 2024 this summer due to injury.

Trent Alexander-Arnold would no doubt have been handed some more minutes in midfield across the two matches if he was fit, while injured Liverpool team-mate Curtis Jones would have likely received a maiden call up too. In this context, it's perhaps no surprise that England failed to win either game, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat against Brazil before dramatically salvaging a 2-2 draw with Belgium at the death.

It's not all bad news, though. Southgate will be encouraged that several players he handed debuts to rewarded his faith with standout displays, while star man Jude Bellingham also continued to write his England legend against Belgium.

Below, GOAL takes a look at the biggest winners and losers from the March fixtures as we edge closer to Euro 2024…

Getty ImagesWINNER: Kobbie Mainoo

It's difficult to decide whether one should be excited or perturbed by the fact that an 18 year old with just a handful of senior appearances currently looks in pole position to fill England's vacant midfield spot in Germany this summer.

Mainoo's emergence as a first teamer at Manchester United led to passionate cries for Southgate to be brave and hand him some minutes in this international break. After initial resistance, the Three Lions boss did end up calling up the teenager to the senior side, even bringing him on as a substitute against Brazil.

He impressed during that brief cameo, doing enough to earn himself a start in the Belgium draw, where he was England's best player. Mainoo's ability to wriggle free of the opposition, maintain possession and retain his composure complemented midfield partner Declan Rice perfectly.

After this pair of promising appearances he will almost certainly be on the plane this summer. Mainoo might even have a chance of making the starting XI if he can finish the season strongly at Old Trafford, especially with Henderson being robbed of the opportunity to prove his doubters wrong this international break thanks to an untimely injury.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Ollie Watkins

Southgate will not want to contemplate a world in which Kane is not leading the line for England at the Euros this summer. However, the Bayern Munich star's withdrawal from the camp with injury provided an unpleasant reminder of the Three Lions skipper's mortality.

His absence did at least provide Southgate with an opportunity to finetune his Plan B in the frightening case that Kane does miss the tournament. Thanks to his fantastic form at club level this season, Watkins started the international break as the favourite to step in for the skipper and, as expected, he started against Brazil.

The Aston Villa man struggled to impress, though, not really getting into the game and failing to gel with his international team-mates. This opened the door for Ivan Toney to move above Watkins in the pecking order by putting in a good display against Belgium – and the Brentford talisman took his opportunity well.

As well as scoring from the penalty spot, the apparent Arsenal target was a better like-for-like Kane alternative all round, with his hold-up play and physicality disrupting the opposition defence. Watkins will surely still go to the tournament, but Toney is now more likely to be used in the unfortunate case of Southgate's first choice striker not being available.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Jude Bellingham

With Kane out of the picture, Bellingham has been England's main man over the past two games. While he couldn't quite inspire his side to victory against Brazil, he was consistently the Three Lions' best chance of scoring.

It was more of the same against Belgium and it was fitting that it was the Real Madrid star who netted the dramatic equaliser at the death. It's not just on the pitch that Bellingham's influence is growing. After scoring that last-gasp leveller, he spoke like a player 10 years older, addressing the "negative" atmosphere around the squad recently.

"I know the rubbish we would’ve got if we lost two games on the bounce," he said. "With these games, you’ve got to keep perspective. A lot of lads are making debuts, a lot of these lads I’ve never played with before and I thought we created a lot of chances. I’m happy I could make it up to the team – but really we should be winning with all the chances we made. Two games that will stand us in great stead heading into the Euros. I know everyone will be negative about it but you have to take these games for what they are. Take the positives, learn from the negatives and I’m sure we’ll be fine."

He also went in to bat from his manager, adding: "Of course it’s hard for the gaffer, people need to realise how hard it is. You plan these games, these sides for games, because you expect a fully-fit team and you expect to give it a really good crack. And the skipper gets injured, Bukayo, Hendo’s obviously out, Walks, Stonesy now. It’s a really difficult one for us, but I’m sure the manager’s happy with the players he got to see. They were brilliant."

Despite still being just 20, this confident interview provided further proof of how Bellingham is developing as a leader. Every other manager at Euro 2024 will be extremely envious that Southgate can call on such a remarkably talented and mature player.

GettyLOSER: Pep Guardiola

No wonder Guardiola hates the international break. Over the course of England's two games the Manchester City manager would have been left in cold sweats as he watched his two star defenders, Kyle Walker and John Stones, limp off the field.

This would be far from ideal in any circumstances, but with a blockbuster Premier League clash against Arsenal to come on Sunday, Guardiola will be particularly frustrated. To compound matters, Manuel Akanji also departed the Switzerland squad early, missing his side's second friendly of the break against the Republic of Ireland.

Some conspiracy theorists are claiming all these 'injuries' are part of a ploy to ensure City are at full strength for Arsenal's visit, though this seems extremely unlikely. And if all three aren't fit enough to take on the Gunners, Guardiola will be in a really tricky spot ahead of his team's biggest game of the season.