It was only in the closing stages of the friendly match between England and Uruguay that things really got going. The focus was on Ben White of all people, who first put the Three Lions ahead and then conceded a penalty late on.
England had strolled through the World Cup qualifiers with eight wins and without conceding a goal, underlining their status as co-favorites for the finals in North America. Coach Thomas Tuchel named a 35-man squad for the start of the new international campaign – on the one hand to give established players such as Rice, Bellingham and Kane a break, and on the other to try out new faces. A new-look squad started against Uruguay, with Man City keeper Trafford between the posts for the first time, debutant Garner in midfield and Solanke as Kane’s deputy.
The Three Lions immediately took command against the two-time world champions, led by the recently brilliant Valverde, and were dominant with the ball. However, the lack of familiarity was obvious and England’s attacking play was mostly too static. Only the hosts’ high pressing allowed them to get a shot on goal, with Barca’s Araujo deflecting the only shot from Madueke into the arms of his keeper Muslera (19′).
Uruguay were their usual poisonous self against the ball. However, the Celeste had little going for them offensively, with Canobbio firing the only two shots on goal unchallenged into nowhere (27, 45+5). With nothing coming from the Three Lions apart from a harmless header from Solanke (29′), a tired friendly went into the break without any goals.
Calvert-Lewin misses miserably
The second half began with a nasty tackle from Araujo (50), who was lucky that he and the fouled Foden were able to stay on the pitch. Both coaches had already had to make injury changes in the first half – Piquerez had to be carried off the pitch with an ankle injury for Uruguay, while Madueke left the pitch in a daze for the Three Lions. Another injured player would have been truly superfluous.
In contrast, there was still little happening on the pitch, neither team had any chances for a long time and the flow of the game was further hampered by the many changes. Only Palmer brought the Three Lions some spirit, his perfect free-kick just needing to be pushed into the net by Calvert-Lewin from close range. The joker headed wide without any pressure from his opponent (71′).
White hui up front, pfui at the back
In the final phase, the focus was on a man who had already been the subject of much talk in the run-up to the game: Ben White. Thomas Tuchel had preferred the defender to Alexander-Arnold and explained his decision in detail. Now it was the substitute White, who flicked a corner through the penalty area over the line to give England the lead and celebrate his first international goal (81′).
England looked certain to win, but Uruguay got in front of goal once more. Again, White intervened decisively, hitting Vinas on the ankle after he had missed from close range. Valverde converted the penalty, which was awarded after VAR intervention, to equalize (90.+4). The Real star almost turned the game completely on its head in the seventh minute of stoppage time, but Maguire blocked and saved the draw. One that probably taught Thomas Tuchel few lessons for the World Cup.