It is not a question that Thomas Tuchel wants to entertain at the World Cup this summer but one he had a run at here in what was supposed to be England’s grand Wembley sendoff. Can the team thrive against good opposition without Harry Kane? The answer was played out across an increasingly frustrating 90 minutes. It was no.
It was not all about Kane, who missed out because of a sore foot. But it was easy to conflate England’s lack of cutting edge with his absence. Tuchel had highlighted the poor goal returns from his other attacking players on Monday. They needed to bring more to the party. There was only bluntness.
England had a late flurry, threatening from corners mainly after Harry Maguire and Dan Burn were sent on as substitutes. It was primitive but, hey, if it works. There was nowhere near enough from the team as a creative force in open play, the problems individual and structural.
In Kane’s absence, Tuchel started with Cole Palmer and Phil Foden as twin No 10s in a 4-2-4 system. It did not work. England lacked penetration in the final third and there were never any runners in behind. Japan were comfortable.
Jordan Pickford conceded for the first time at international level since October 2024 when he was beaten by Kaoru Mitoma midway through the first half; the goalkeeper’s incredible run stopped at 922 minutes. And Japan got the victory over the line in the closing stages.
