BEN WHITE was booed by England fans on his return to international football, despite scoring a goal, and went from hero to villain in the process.
The less said about the first-half, the better…
Apart from a few Marcus Rashford bursts down the left-hand side, the highlight of the first 45 was seeing how close fans could get to the goal with their paper aeroplanes.
The second half saw Thomas Tuchel ring in the changes, with Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Dominic Calvert-Lewin among those given a run out.
White was introduced with them and was booed on his return after being asked not to be selected since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Now, though, he was returned to the England fold with Thomas Tuchel in charge, and proved why he could be a valuable asset at the 2026 edition of the tournament with a goal.
Unfortunately for him and England, he went from hero to villain as he gave away a penalty in stoppage time, which was rifled home by Federico Valverde to level the scoring.
This is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players…
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JAMES TRAFFORD – 6
The Manchester City stopper was trusted by Tuchel in between the sticks after a good performance in the Carabao Cup final for his England debut.
Truth be told, he didn’t have much to do, but what was asked of him he did well, especially with claiming crosses.
Would be tough to criticise him for the penalty scored by Uruguay, as he was robbed of a debut clean sheet at the death.
TINO LIVRAMENTO – 6
Didn’t have as much impact as Djed Spence on the other flank, with England preferring to try and progress the ball on the other side of the pitch.
Defensively, though, he was sound and didn’t look at all troubled by Uruguay.
FIKAYO TOMORI – 7
Was brilliant on the ball at the back, and made more passes into the final third than any other defender, while maintaining impressive pass accuracy.
It was his first appearance in three years for his country, and will have done his chances of being on the plane in the summer absolutely no harm tonight.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 7
Comfortable playing the ball out from the back, and looked like a leader out there next to Fikayo Tomori.
Had more touches than any other England player, and came up clutch with a few crucial stoppage time blocks and clearances.
DJED SPENCE – 6
Linked up nicely with Marcus Rashford at times on the left-hand side, with the pair producing some nice exchanges.
He was probably the busiest of the backline too, and did his defensive duties well by winning most of his duels.
JORDAN HENDERSON – 5
This game saw Jordan Henderson join an elite list of just three other players who have had an England career spanning more than 15 years: Wayne Rooney, Stanley Matthews, and Peter Shilton.
He wasn’t heavily involved in the first half by any means, but kept things ticking over in midfield with some good passing.
Nothing overly inspiring to show he should still be starting for England at this point.
JAMES GARNER – 7
His England debut was a success for sure.
Garner was defensively sound, with more tackles than any other England player.
On the ball, he was good too, and looks a player capable of being on the plane in the summer.
NONI MADUEKE – 5
The 24-year-old hobbled off the Wembley turf injured in the first-half after attempting to get a shot off in the Uruguay box.
He was, though, one of England’s more dangerous attackers and didn’t look afraid to take on his man.
PHIL FODEN – 3
Preferred to Cole Palmer in attacking midfield, tonight felt like a chance for Phil Foden to really prove why he should be on the plane to the USA in the summer.
But the Three Lions’ number seven failed to get involved in an attacking sense and couldn’t really make much happen before being replaced by Palmer.
Registered one successful dribble and was caught offside twice, without a single touch in the Uruguay box.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Marcus Rashford showed glimpses of the electric winger we have seen in an England shirt over the years.
Every time he got on the ball, he was creative and direct, with two brilliant runs in the first half that, unfortunately, led to nothing.
DOMINIC SOLANKE – 3
The competition to be England’s Harry Kane deputy is fierce.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ollie Watkins, Danny Welbeck, and tonight’s starter, Solanke, will all be hopeful of taking up that role at the World Cup.
Solanke, though, didn’t do anything to prove that he should be on the plane ahead of those other names before being replaced by Calvert-Lewin, who was more impactful.
Registered two shots on target, but neither of them were particularly threatening for 39-year-old Fernando Muslera.
SUBS:
JARROD BOWEN (NONI MADUEKE, 38) – 5
Noni Madueke looked the more exciting winger from an attacking sense, with Bowen struggling to get too involved in the game on the right-hand side.
ADAM WHARTON (JORDAN HENDERSON, HT) – 5
Definitely improved England from an attacking sense after being introduced at half-time, and progressed the ball better than Henderson from midfield.
COLE PALMER (PHIL FODEN, 56) – 7
Should’ve been rewarded with an assist for an excellent free-kick cross into Dominic Calvert-Lewin, only for the striker to head wide.
He was good with the ball and offered more than Foden in less time on the pitch.
He won’t get the assist for White’s opener, but it was his corner that led to the goal.
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN (DOMINIC SOLANKE, 56) – 6
Had a huge chance to give England the lead in the 70th minute, but notched his free header just wide of the post.
His next header though, was much better, with a flick towards the back post that was tapped home by White.
KOBBIE MAINOO (JAMES GARNER, 67) – 5
Wasn’t massively involved after coming on.
BEN WHITE (FIKAYO TOMORI, 67) – 6
White was booed by fans inside Wembley on his return to international football with England, even AFTER scoring the winner.
He stepped up when his country needed a goal with a tap-in at the back post, before turning the villain in stoppage time as he gave away a penalty on Federico Vinas.
To be fair, without him, the game would’ve been FAR more boring.
HARVEY BARNES (MARCUS RASHFORD, 67) – 5
Wasn’t massively involved after coming on.
LEWIS HALL (DJED SPENCE, 67) – 5
Wasn’t massively involved after coming on.
