ENGLAND 1-1 URUGUAY: Ben White appeared to have won it for the Three Lions with a late tap-in from a corner, only to give away an even later penalty which levelled things at Wembley
Ben White of England reacts
Ben White was involved in both goals(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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Ben White was England’s hero and villain on his Wembley return. Arsenal defender White, who has not been in the England squad for three and a half years after quitting the 2022 World Cup camp, scored after 81 minutes and yet still got booed.
White’s injury-time challenge on Federico Vinas then capped a bad night as he conceded a penalty which Federico Valverde converted to snatch an equaliser. And the England fans have clearly not forgiven or forgotten White walking out and then making himself unavailable.
It was a bad night for Phil Foden who was scythed down by an X-rated tackle from Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo despite it being a friendly. Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte also escaped a red card despite getting two yellows.
This felt like football’s version of Britain’s Got Talent. A live Wembley audition with a ticket on the plane to the World Cup up for grabs. Except there were not that many takers.
Dom Solanke stepped up and impressed with his touch and quality. Marcus Rashford also put on a nice show. But, in all honesty, we did not learn much else.
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The big guns - Harry Kane and Co - watched on from the stands as Tuchel prepares to bring in 11 players into the squad in time for Tuesday’s friendly with Japan.
Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Elliott Anderson, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Dean Henderson were given this week off but look nailed-on certainties for the World Cup.
But this game show lacked some excitement and the crowd showed their disapproval by throwing paper aeroplanes as early as the sixth minute.
Tuchel had made it clear that most would be going home but if they did enough then they could stay for the second week. It really did have the feel of a talent show.
Agustin Canobbio of Uruguay and Dominic Solanke of England
Dominic Solanke started up front for England(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside via Getty Images)
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It was just hard to pick out which of the lucky hopefuls would stay on for the second week. Just to add a bit of extra spice, both teams were allowed to make eight substitutions. This was a revolving door of talent.
Uruguay sold out their full allocation and there were a few Leeds fans in the away section to pay homage to their former boss Marcelo Bielsa who will lead the South American nation to the World Cup.
There was Bielsa in familiar pose on the touchline, sitting on the cool box mulling over the proceedings while Tuchel stood looking less than impressed.
England were disjointed, unfamiliar and were clearly struggling to make partnerships on the pitch. Noni Madueke started brightly - but then his night ended before half time.
Madueke, already wearing a heavy wrist strapping, appeared to fall on his injured arm and no risks were taken as Jarrod Bowen was sent on to replace him.
Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke went off injured in the first half(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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But it was yet another injury worry for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta who is still chasing three trophies with a rapidly decreasing squad.
Uruguay lived up to their reputation - tough, taking no prisoners and well drilled. Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo scythed through Phil Foden with a brutal X-rated challenge.
Sadly that signalled the end of Foden’s night. The Manchester City forward trudged off knowing that this was another night unfulfilled.
England's striker Dominic Solanke, England's defender Harry Maguire, England's defender Djed Spence, England's goalkeeper James Trafford and England's midfielder James Garner, (front row L-R) England's defender Fikayo Tomori, England's midfielder Jordan Henderson, England's midfielder Phil Foden, England's striker Marcus Rashford, England's defender Tino Livramento and England's midfielder Noni Madueke pose
England started with an unusual line-up(Image: Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images)
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If it is a straight shoot-out between him and Cole Palmer - who replaced him - then Foden looks to be in trouble. Few minutes or starts for his club, Foden just did not take his chance this time either.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin also came on for Solanke and maybe the Tottenham striker - with his silky control and clever lay-offs - was the big winner on a night when few shone on their auditions.
And just to cap a thoroughly unsatisfactory night, White was roundly booed when he came on for Fikayo Tomori which left everyone wondering: was it really worth it?
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