With most of his big hitters soaking up the Wembley hospitality, Thomas Tuchel fielded an XI most diplomatically described as ‘experimental’, and a lack of cohesion was evident in the early stages as the Three Lions struggled to make an inroad into Uruguay territory.
And although England largely controlled the tempo of the game before half-time, a limp Dominic Solanke effort that was nothing other than catching practice for Uruguay stopper Fernando Muslera.
After a first half in which Uruguay didn’t threaten at all, the game’s first flashpoint of the game was a worrying one from an England perspective as a horrific ankle-high challenge from Ronald Araujo on Phil Foden, which somehow went unpunished, leaving him writhing on the floor in pain just months before the World Cup.
Fortunately for millions of England fans, he was able to get up and carry on, although he was swiftly replaced by Cole Palmer.
Eager to prove himself after missing the autumn internationals through injury, he manufactured the game’s first big chance of the night on 70 minutes when his wicked delivery found the unmarked Dominic Calvert-Lewin six yards from goal.
Wembley held its breath, but the Leeds man incredibly guided a header wide when it looked easier to score.
Palmer was involved in England’s opening goal, though, as his inswinging corner caused mayhem in the Uruguay penalty area, and after Muslera initially made a strong save to spare one of his defenders’ blushes, the returning Ben White was on hand to tap home on the line on his first Three Lions appearance in four years.
A strange development also saw Manuel Ugarte booked twice but not dismissed, with the second yellow card apparently rescinded.
The referee would then further deepen his villain status in added time, when awarding Uruguay a penalty with almost the final significant kick of the game.
Ironically, it was White who went from hero to zero as it was his foul which was penalised, with Real Madrid man Federico Valverde stepping forward from 12 yards to find the bottom corner and breach England’s defence for the first time since June.
Flashscore Man of the Match: James Garner (England)
Catch up on the match here.
