Manager Thomas Tuchel was not impressed with the referee. (Image: ITV)
Ben White went from zero to hero and back to zero against Uruguay at Wembley, but England were overwhelmed. The Three Lions, who underwent a major transformation after manager Thomas Tuchel gave fringe players an opportunity to audition for World Cup qualification, had just three shots on target, but substitute White netted his fourth in the 81st minute to finally bring cheers to Wembley.
However, the Arsenal defender was booed when he came on, but he gifted a penalty in stoppage time, which Real Madrid’s powerful Federico Valverde converted to deny England victory. Although the match featured little goalmouth action, there were still plenty of moments of drama. Express Sport brings you the main stories…
white night drama
It was White’s first cap since March 2022, and he was greeted with boos upon his entrance. White was jeered when he replaced Fikayo Tomori in the 69th minute.
Twelve minutes later, when he finally broke the deadlock from a corner kick and smashed home from a yard at the back post, there were still some, though fewer boos. It really seemed like Arsenal to score a goal from a corner kick!
However, he was not well-received after a clumsy challenge on Federico Vinas resulted in a penalty after a VAR check. So why was he booed?
The defender left the Qatar World Cup camp four years ago for “personal reasons” but has never spoken publicly about the situation. It is said that he had a falling out with then-assistant manager Steve Holland. The fact that he subsequently refused to play for England clearly did not sit well with fans.
Still, Tuchel explained this week: “I think everyone should be given a second chance. Once I asked Ben if he was ready to play for me and for England, he immediately said, without hesitation, that he loved it. And he was very keen to come back.”
Ben White scores England’s only goal at Wembley (Image: Getty)
Lev’s memory loss
One of the strangest moments of the night under the lights at Wembley was when Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte received a second yellow card for talking back to referee Sven Jablonski, but continued playing regardless. Ugarte had already been booked when he was given another yellow. But the red card didn’t last.
In the end he was sent off, but only because Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa replaced him. A fourth official later claimed that the second yellow was eventually rescinded. How about that? Talk about covering his spouse. In the end, this was just an unpleasant act on Sven’s part, and he too should have given Ronald Araujo a red card earlier in the match. More details below…
Thomas Tuchel furious
Barcelona defender Araujo was extremely lucky to avoid a red card for his nasty tackle on Phil Foden in the second half. The Manchester City midfielder was lucky to get up off the grass and play for a few minutes, despite clearly feeling the pain of the challenge.
Tuchel gesticulated wildly with his arms as soon as Foden went down, with James Garner, Harry Maguire and Fikayo Tomori all seen with their arms extended in the referee’s direction.
Speaking on commentary for ITV, former England defender Lee Dixon said: “Tuchel is not happy with that tackle at all. Yeah, that’s a leg breaker. It’s a bad tackle and his aggressiveness puts the opponent in danger. He’s lucky, Foden. He just lifts the weight off that ankle. If that foot is on the ground, he’s broken his ankle there. If that’s the Premier League, that’s 100 points.” A red card. You shouldn’t do that because it’s a FIFA game. It was halfway up his shin and it caught his ankle as well. It’s not good that he received the ball (first). ”
The incident left manager Thomas Tuchel completely furious as he lashed out at the fourth official on the touchline. “That’s a red card,” he fumed. Marcelo Bielsa also came under fire when he appeared to calm his fellow coach.
Foden was dropped off after a few minutes and walked straight down the tunnel. One might imagine manager Josep Guardiola was not at all pleased with his performance, but Foden at least returned to the bench afterwards with his teammates with his ankle pinned to ice.
Manager Thomas Tuchel furious at not sending off Ronald Araujo (Image: ITV)
Is Henderson on the plane?
England can take 26 players to the World Cup. With the competition for spots so intense and the volatile Trent Alexander-Arnold not even making the 35-man selection, there has been much debate about whether or not Henderson should go to the United States.
The fact that he is the captain of this team suggests he is likely to be on the plane. Tuchel recalled Henderson, who was widely seen as the men’s leader 12 months ago, after being banned from the England squad for 16 months. And the German manager has been full of praise since then, giving the 35-year-old veteran eight caps as he approaches the 100-game milestone.
Tuchel told ITV last March: “He embodies everything. He’s a serial winner. His personality, his character, the glue of every team he’s played for. He’s going to be the glue that makes things special. I’m sure.”
In another interview, he added, “What he brings to every team is leadership, character, energy and personality. He makes sure everyone lives up to a standard. He embodies everything we’re trying to build. We want to build a team that our fans can be proud of.” Whether you agree or disagree with the manager’s opinion, it seems very likely that Henderson will end up in the final 26.
Jordan Henderson captained England in a much-changed match against Uruguay (Image: Getty)
Rashford has a chance
At Wembley on Friday, Rashford was mostly quiet until his first-half run down the left wing sent the crowd into high spirits. For many, he will still be the first-choice left winger to complete the front three alongside England’s Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka. And he has a chance to prove himself worthy of the role in the coming weeks.
That’s because Rafinha, Barcelona’s keeper and starting left winger, faces at least five weeks out with a hamstring injury. Barça have faced them seven times during that period, including against Atlético Madrid, who they lost in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, once in La Liga and twice in the Champions League.
Rafinha could miss the first leg of the European semi-finals against Arsenal or Sporting. Regards, Marcus. The Manchester United loanee has scored 10 goals and provided 13 assists in 39 games this season and looks likely to make Camp Nou his permanent home.
And if he can maintain his form over the next month or so, he could secure a starting position in England.
