England boss Thomas Tuchel made sweeping changes to his regular XI on Friday night.
The German had already confirmed that the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jordan Pickford would be rested for the friendly meeting with Uruguay. In came Dominic Solanke, Noni Madueke and James Trafford, among others.
Tuchel has his World Cup squad effectively locked in. Kane, Saka and Pickford will be joined on the plane by Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi, to name three. Friday’s welcome of Uruguay provided the fringe stars the chance to secure a spot on the plane this summer.
In a game of few chances, it was the returning Ben White who proved the central figure in the stalemate. White replaced Fikayo Tomori midway through the second half before bagging the opener. The Arsenal man completed the full villain-to-hero-to-villain arc as he conceded a late penalty, which was duly dispatched by Uruguay captain Federico Valverde in the 1-1 draw.
In this article, we’ll cover:
James Garner’s debut
One of those looking to catch the eye was James Garner, who received a first England call up last week. Garner has excelled for Everton this season, and international recognition is richly deserved. Not only has the Toffees star’s work off the ball caught the eye of the England manager, his deadball quality also influenced the decision to bring the 25-year-old into the squad.
Garner was immediately put on set-piece duties for England on Friday night, sharing the responsibility with Phil Foden. Given Garner ranks fifth for chances created from set pieces (21) in the Premier League this season, that was hardly a surprise.
For the most part, Garner did what he was instructed to do. Harry Maguire was so often the target from corners and free-kicks, and the former carried out the duty expertly. Indeed, he created more chances (3) than any other player in the first half at Wembley.
James Garner’s first half by numbers vs. Uruguay:
23/25 passes completed
5 duels won
4 tackles
3 chances created
3x possession won
1 interceptionLooks at home in an England shirt. ? pic.twitter.com/sRVeYSdlh5
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) March 27, 2026
The midfielder showcased his impressive defensive work rate on the international stage. Against such a combative Uruguay, this was a notable feat in itself. Five duels won, four tackles and one interception marked a fine opening 45 minutes to life in international football.
While he didn’t enjoy a winning start to life with England, Garner did his World Cup hopes no harm at Wembley.
Dominic Solanke’s audition
One area of contention is Harry Kane’s backup. Kane will lead the charge for the Three Lions in North America. As England captain, the Bayern Munich forward will start nigh-on every game.
The issue for Tuchel is who best to provide cover and competition for Kane this summer. At Euro 2024, it was Aston Villa hitman Ollie Watkins. The Villans star was overlooked for the March internationals, however, with Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin called up instead.
Solanke was named in the starting XI as the focal point in Tuchel’s favoured 4-2-3-1 setup. It marked eight years and 133 days since his England debut, the longest gap between a first appearance and first start for the national team.
And the Tottenham Hotspur striker, to his credit, did all he could for a mismatch England side. Despite a lack of coherency in this Three Lions setup, Solanke was the only player to muster a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
In addition, he linked up well with teammates and worked hard off the ball to force Uruguay to act. While he couldn’t mark the occasion with a goal, Solanke gave a good account of himself before his second half withdrawal.
Phil Foden fluffs his lines
Tuchel is spoilt for choice in the No.10 role. Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer are all options for the England boss. Eberechi Eze missed out on the squad due to injury.
Even so, Phil Foden was handed the number 10 keys at Wembley. The Manchester City man has struggled for game time of late, yet Tuchel felt the 25-year-old deserved the chance to nail down his spot in the England setup.
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It was one that Foden was unable to take. Since Euro 2024, the Man City man has struggled for consistency for both club and country, and the Uruguay clash was the attacker’s form in the last two years in a microcosm.
Foden showed flashes of brilliance, but not enough to prove he deserves a squad berth, let alone a starting spot, this summer. In fairness, Foden’s evening was cut short following a nasty challenge from Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. Yet even prior to the tackle from the centre-back, the attacker struggled to really get into the game.
That he was up against one of the world’s best central midfielders in Federico Valverde won’t have helped. But to be the best, you have to beat the best. Foden looked anything but in the stalemate with Uruguay.
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