England’s team of fringe stars were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Uruguay at Wembley on Friday night after Ben White’s late goal was cancelled out by a stoppage time penalty.
White, marking his international return after famously walking out on England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was booed when he came on as a substitute in the second half but fired the hosts ahead in the 81st minute with a tap-in from close range.
Uruguay fought back to claim a draw thanks to a last-gasp penalty converted by Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, with White conceding the decisive spot-kick.
Daily Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE was at Wembley on the night to rate each of England’s players, assessing their performances with World Cup spots on the line.
England were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Uruguay at Wembley on Friday night
Ben White scored on his return to the England team – before conceding Uruguay’s late penalty
Thomas Tuchel named an unusual XI to test England’s fringe players ahead of the World Cup
ENGLAND (4-3-3)
James Trafford 6.5
Beaten by the only shot on goal, the late penalty. But handled crosses well and looked assured. Should be Pickford’s backup.
Tino Livramento 6
Seemed to play within himself too much. Where were forward bursts seen at Newcastle? Steady, about the best you can say.
Fikayo Tomori 4.5
Not a good audition. Mistimed one header leading to Uruguay shot and was soon loose with a pass into midfield. Could be his chance gone.
Harry Maguire 7
Tried to split lines and quicken tempo with progressive passes. One cross-field ball was a belter. Strong in defence, too. Must go to World Cup. MOM.
Djed Spence 6
See Livramento. Got forward once or twice but not enough to help break the tedium of his team performance.
James Garner 6.5
Nice deliveries were a highlight of first half, even if nothing came of them. Saw lots of the ball and was bright enough with it. But overall, not enough to demand inclusion.
Dominic Solanke dithered on the ball and failed to light up Wembley on his rare England chance
Jordan Henderson 6
Saw enough of the ball and was tidy with it, but needed to quicken the pace more. Can’t be a starter come summer. Waste of a pick by Tuchel.
Noni Madueke 5
Tried a couple of dribbles down right but nothing really came off. Forced off with facial injury before break but had not impressed to that point.
Phil Foden 5.5
Got into some promising areas but where is the risk? The daring dribbles? Looks low on confidence. Another poor night for England.
Marcus Rashford 6.5
Tried to inject energy into drab first half, and one dash past three men was rare moment of excitement. The pick of attacking players, but it’s a low, low bar.
Dominic Solanke 4.5
Has to do more on such a big night. Dithered when played in behind by Henderson and chance went. Not an England starter, and maybe not a squad member.
Phil Foden was preferred over Cole Palmer at No 10 from the start but looks low on confidence
Substitutes:
Jarrod Bowen (on for Madueke 38) 6
Adam Wharton (on for Henderson 46) 6.5
Cole Palmer (on for Foden 56) 6.5
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (on for Solanke 56) 5.5
Harvey Barnes (on for Rashford 69) 6
Kobbie Mainoo (on for Garner 69) 5.5
Ben White (on for Tomori 69) 6
Lewis Hall (on for Spence 69) 6
Manager – Thomas Tuchel 6
England improved for his second-half changes, but bulk of cast before that did not pass audition. A weakened selection was followed by weakened performance, but he would have learnt from it.
Referee – S Jablonski (GER) 3
Uruguay: Muslera 6; Valera 6, Ronald Araújo 6.5, Olivera 6, Piquerez 6 (Gimenez 16, 6); Valverde 6.5, Ugarte 7; Canobbio 5.5, De Arrascaeta 6, Maxi Araújo 5.5 (Pellistri 64, 5); Rodrigo Aguirre 5 (Vinas 64, 5)
Manager: Marcelo Bielsa 6
