Updated 21:44, 31 Mar 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nKaoru Mitoma proved to be Japan’s shining light at Wembley<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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Japan rocked up to Wembley and downed England as they underlined their World Cup credentials with an impressive win, that owed to a first-half strike from Karou Mitoma.<\/p>\n
The Brighton ace, playing against familiar opponents given his time in the Premier League, was on hand to finish a first-half break as his shot left Jordan Pickford with no chance.<\/p>\n
Japan had chances to further their lead with Thomas Tuchel’s side finishing this international block in underwhelming fashion. The draw with Uruguay was followed by a loss as the hosts, minus Harry Kane due to an injury, lacked any real cutting edge as they began without a conventional No 9.<\/p>\n
Elliot Anderson’s effort in the first-half was as close as England came, his strike cannoning off the bar, but even with the clock against them the Three Lions struggled to create any sort of chance that would’ve salvaged the game. Substitute Marcus Rashford found a yard to get a shot away, but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper, albeit his 77th minute effort was England’s first shot on target. Morgan Rogers would later lash over an effort from close range.<\/p>\n
Tuchel is running out of games before the World Cup begins this summer, and few will have enhanced their chances on Tuesday night. Japan meanwhile underlined the fact that they can be a serious threat as they dealt the English a reality check. Here’s our player ratings from Wembley.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Why England’s opponents have sacked their manager 72 days before 2026 World Cup<\/span><\/span>READ MORE: New theory emerges of why Ben White got ‘really upset’ during England camp<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nEngland (4-2-3-1)<\/strong><\/p>\nJordan Pickford<\/strong><\/p>\nNot much he could do on Japan\u2019s goal but made fine stop with his legs.<\/p>\n
Rating: 7<\/p>\n
Ben White<\/strong><\/p>\nExposed defensively time and again. Miles off the pace. A real weak link.<\/p>\n
Rating: 4<\/p>\n
Ezri Konsa<\/strong><\/p>\nA real Tuchel favourite – and he at least did his best to hold the defence together.<\/p>\n
Rating: 6<\/p>\n
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\nBen White endured a difficult night down the right<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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Marc Guehi<\/strong><\/p>\nGiven the captain\u2019s armband to underline Tuchel\u2019s trust but far from his best night.<\/p>\n
Rating: 6<\/p>\n
Nico O\u2019Reilly<\/strong><\/p>\nWas unlucky to see Mitoma\u2019s goal take a nick off him. Exposed defensively.<\/p>\n
Rating: 5<\/p>\n
Elliot Anderson<\/strong><\/p>\nWas solid enough and crashed a shot off the top of the crossbar.<\/p>\n
Rating: 7<\/p>\n
Kobbie Mainoo<\/strong><\/p>\nNeat and tidy, nice passing but did not really open up Japan\u2019s defence.<\/p>\n
Rating: 6<\/p>\n
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\nElliot Anderson was a rare bright spark for England<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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Cole Palmer<\/strong><\/p>\nTried hard but he gave the ball away before Japan\u2019s goal. Nowhere near his best.<\/p>\n
Rating: 6<\/p>\n
Morgan Rogers<\/strong><\/p>\nDrifted out to the right and got lost. Looked to make things happen but missing spark.<\/p>\n
Rating: 5<\/p>\n
Anthony Gordon<\/strong><\/p>\nHis pace and direct runs at least showed some threat. One of England\u2019s better performers.<\/p>\n
Rating: 6<\/p>\n
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\nThomas Tuchel was left to digest a rare loss as England boss<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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Phil Foden<\/strong><\/p>\nStarted as a false nine and it did not work as he provided very little threat.<\/p>\n
Rating: 5<\/p>\n
Substitutes<\/strong><\/p>\nBowen, for Palmer, 59 mins, 6<\/p>\n
Solanke, for Foden, 59 mins, 6<\/p>\n
Livramento, for White, 59 mins, 6<\/p>\n
Hall, for O\u2019Reilly, 59 mins, 7<\/p>\n
Garner, for Mainoo, 71 mins, 6<\/p>\n
Rashford, for Gordon, 71 mins, 7<\/p>\n
Maguire, for Guehi, 83 mins, N\/A<\/p>\n
Burn, for Konsa, 83 mins, N\/A<\/p>\n
Subs: Trafford, Steele, Henderson, Bellingham, Barnes, Spence<\/p>\n
Japan: Suzuki 7, J. Ito 7 (Seko, 66, 6), Watanabe 7, Taniguchi 6, Nakamura 7, Sano 6, Kamada 7, Doan 7, Mitoma 8, H. Ito 7, Ueda 7 (Ogawa, 66, 6)<\/p>\n
Subs: Hayakawa, Osaka, Sugawara, Seko, Fujita, Y. Suzuki, Machino, Maeda, Hashioka, Tanaka, Ogawa, J. Suzuki.<\/p>\n
Man of the match: Karou Mitoma<\/p>\n
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