England dey suffer one big shock for Wembley today as Japan carry one goal beat dem for friendly match wey dey prepare both teams for 2026 World Cup. The game wey end 1-0 for Japan side na serious blow for England fans wey dey expect better performance before the big tournament for North America.
Kaoru Mitoma score the only goal for Japan for first half. The Brighton winger collect fine pass from Keito Nakamura and slot am past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. That counter-attack goal show Japan sharpness wey England no fit match for the whole 90 minutes.
England try plenty things but dem no fit break Japan defence. Zion Suzuki, Japan goalkeeper, push Elliot Anderson shot for crossbar for first half. Later, Ayase Ueda shot wey deflect also hit woodwork for Japan side. But England own chances no plenty at all.
Second half come with England still dey struggle. Marcus Rashford get one good chance but Suzuki save am well. Jarrod Bowen try for rebound but ball go wide. England only shot wey hit target na that Rashford one – statistics wey go worry any coach.
Thomas Tuchel, England coach, try change things by bringing on Harry Maguire and Dan Burn as centre-backs. But even with two big defenders for attack, England no fit score. Maguire nearly equalize with header but Yukinari Sugawara clear am for line.
Morgan Rogers get England best chance for last minutes. The young midfielder find himself with ball for box but blast am over bar. Thomas Tuchel just shake head for sideline say “wow” as Rogers cover face with hand.
Japan defence stand strong till final whistle. Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Koki Ogawa collect yellow cards for time-wasting as referee add four minutes extra time. But England no create anything meaningful for those last minutes.
The attendance of 79,233 people for Wembley watch as England suffer first ever defeat to Japan. Many England fans dey leave stadium early as hope dey finish. Performance wey Jack Pitt-Brooke describe as “long night” for England.
Rob Tanner, Leicester City correspondent, talk say England players no show anything wey go make dem deserve World Cup selection. “Disjointed and muddled” na how im describe England play. Many attacking players like Anthony Gordon and Kobbie Mainoo get substituted as things no dey work.
Japan coach get reason to smile. Keito Nakamura play excellent match, nearly score second goal with fine shot wey miss post small. Daichi Kamada control midfield well while Ritsu Doan and Junya Ito trouble England defence with speed.
England now dey face serious questions before World Cup. The team wey try new system with creative players start well but end with long balls to Maguire and Burn. George Ramsay report say England dey head for “historic defeat” as things no dey click.
For other news, England Under-21s beat Moldova 4-1 for European Championship qualifier. Ethan Nwaneri score two goals while Archie Gray and Romain Esse add others. But that good news no fit cover senior team poor performance.
England last home game before World Cup end with defeat. Fans dey wonder how team go perform for North America if dem no fit beat Japan for Wembley. The countdown to World Cup continue but England confidence don suffer big blow today.
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