England’s final friendly before Thomas Tuchel names his World Cup squad ended in disaster with a 1-0 home defeat by Japan.
Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma scored the only goal of the game in the first half following a swift Japanese counter-attack.
Daily Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE was at Wembley to run the rule over the Three Lions – who played without a conventional centre-forward.
England (4-2-4-0)
Jordan Pickford 6
Smart sliding intervention early on and made good save at 0-1. Little chance with goal.
Ben White 5
Mitoma goal came down his side but did try to penetrate at other end, even if little came from forays upfield. Booed less, but that reflected apathy of crowd.
Ezri Konsa 6
Strong in air when needed and recovered from loose pass early on. Emerging as steady enough presence alongside Guehi.
Marc Guehi 6
Big night as captain and did fine. Had plenty to do with Japan better in attack. Will start this summer.
Nico O’Reilly 5.5
Questions over defending and was blindsided by Ritsu Doan for chance that needed Pickford save. Did OK on ball but left-back spot still not his.
Elliot Anderson 7
Easily the pick of a poor England. Played balls between lines but team-mates made little of them. One player Tuchel should not worry about.
Kobbie Mainoo 5
Lots of touches and efficient. Did nothing wrong, you might say, but what did he do right? All too cautious and was too slow in recovery for Japan goal.
Anthony Gordon 5
Four crosses in first half all went to… no one! Suffered for absence of striker but did not penetrate like his team needed.
Phil Foden 4
False 9? False 10? Whatever, it all felt false and forced. Another anonymous night leaving big questions over place in North America.
Cole Palmer 4.5
Lost the ball a remarkable 10 times before break, including for Japan goal. Tried things, but nothing came off. Looks way short of confidence and rhythm.
Morgan Rogers 5.5
Shone in qualifying as No 10 but moved to right, where he looked lost. Tuchel was furious with one misplaced pass. Improved after break back in centre.
Substitutes
Lewis Hall (on for O’Reilly 59) 6.5
Tino Livramento (on for White 59) 5.5
Jarrod Bowen (on for Palmer 59) 6
Dominic Solanke (on for Foden 59) 5
Marcus Rashford (on for Gordon 71) 6.5
James Garner (on for Mainoo 71) 6
Dan Burn (on for Guehi 82) 6
Harry Maguire (on for Konsa 82) 6.5
Manager – Thomas Tuchel 5
Strikerless formation did not allow for any incision and absence of Harry Kane was badly felt. Yet another pedestrian night in which his team failed to inspire.
Japan (3-4-2-1): Z. Suzuki 6.5; Taniguchi 6.5, Watanabe 7, J.Ito 6.5; Nakamura 7.5, Sano 7.5, Kamada 6.5, Mitoma 8; Doan 7, H.Ito 6; Ueda 6
Referee: N Walsh (SCO) 7
