ENGLAND fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Japan at Wembley on Tuesday, their first lost there under Thomas Tuchel.
It was the last look that the German will get of his team before selecting his World Cup squad in the summer.
And on the balance of the match, he still has some big questions to answer when it comes to finding the right combination of personnel.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay takes a look at how three stars in World Cup limbo got on during England 0 Japan 1.
Ben White
THOMAS TUCHEL has backed the fan-barracked Arsenal defender – but you have to wonder if it is worth the hassle.
Supporters booed him for the second successive game for his history of snubbing his country, having done so in Friday’s memorable comeback against Uruguay.
White was jeered as his name was read out ahead of kick-off – and then again as his second-half sub for Tino Livramento was announced.
That distraction would be easier to look past if he put in a stellar performance here but there was little to luxuriate over in a largely forgettable display.
Japan wing-back Keito Nakamura wriggled past him with ease in the early stages.
While he was left out of position and high up the pitch for Kaoru Mitoma’s opener.
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It is hardly surprising he would look rusty given he rarely gets a runout in the big games for his club these days.
Penny for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s thoughts watching from his sofa in Madrid…
Kobbie Mainoo
IT was a sloppy performance all round from England but Kobbie Mainoo will be gutted with his lax pass towards the end of the first half.
The Manchester United man, making his first start under Thomas Tuchel, gifted possession to Kaishu Sano in the 42nd minute with a woeful delivery.
Japan almost scored their second of the night from it as Sano teed up runaway Eredivisie top-scorer Ayase Ueda.
But the Feyenoord striker, a club-mate of Raheem Sterling, saw his shot deflect off Ezri Konsa onto the crossbar.
Apart from that mistake, Mainoo was pretty tidy without excelling.
Midfield partner Elliot Anderson, who smashed the woodwork himself with a super effort, caught the eye more.
That fourth midfield spot for Tuchel’s World Cup squad remains up for grabs and Mainoo, 20, can boast big tournament experience from Euro 2024.
But if there was one winner from that particular battle to go to the States alongside Anderson, Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson from this camp, then it was probably James Garner for his impressive bow versus Uruguay.
Cole Palmer
CHELSEA’S playmaker was given a big chance to state his case ahead of the World Cup – but failed to make a compelling argument.
Tuchel even shoved Morgan Rogers – who could well start at No10 at the tournament, if favoured over Jude Bellingham – to the right to accommodate Palmer.
But pretty much everything the Blues star tried from open play did not come off.
His distribution was poor for a player of his quality, including a wayward lofted ball in the direction of Anthony Gordon early on and an overhit pass to Ben White.
The biggest negative against Palmer’s name came in the 23rd minute when Kaoru Mitoma picked his pocket.
That sparked a splendid team goal finished off by Mitoma that his old Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi would have been proud of.
Palmer could have had an assist from a corner after the break – having set up White’s goal against Uruguay from the same scenario – but Ezri Konsa headed wide.
But he could have few complaints when Tuchel subbed him before the hour.
The 23-year-old is such a mercurial talent that it would still be a surprise if he was left out of the squad this summer – but he could do with finding some form.
