Thomas Tuchel's risk backfires as England fans boo Three Lions player in World Cup warm-up clash

Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 27/03/2026

- 21:59

Updated: 27/03/2026

- 23:13

ANALYSIS: GB News journalist Ed Griffiths reports from Wembley on England's World Cup warm-up

England fans were left furious after the Three Lions drew 1-1 with Uruguay at Wembley on Friday night.

The visitors were awarded a late penalty after a VAR check, leading to boo's echoing around the stadium.


Federico Valverde calmly slotted the spot kick into the bottom right corner to bring the scores level in stoppage time.

The host looked the more dominant side throughout the 90 minutes.

Ben White scored on his return to the national team, but was met by boos from the home supporters.

It was a risk for Thomas Tuchel to include White after White's self-imposed exile from international duty.

England were surprisingly average as Tuchel played a second-string side as he closes in on his final World Cup selection.

The Three Lions headed into the warm-up game undefeated in qualifying.

GB News provide a five-point analysis of the Wembley action.

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World Cup places still up for grabs

When the England squad dropped shortly before kick it was clear that Thomas Tuchel is looking for a fresh face to fit into the World Cup squad.

James Trafford and James Gardner were handed their debut starts alongside the less experienced Tino Livramento, Domomic Solanke, Djed Spence and Noni Madueke.

The debutantes did little to prove they were essential for Tuchel ahead of this summer.

In fairness, Trafford had very little to do on the night as Uruguay failed to create a real threat.

The South Americans got on the score sheet through a penalty, which was coolly slotted home by Valverde.

Many of those who Three Lions fans would expect to see starting at the North America tournament were absent, with the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, John Stones and Bukayo Saka all not getting minutes.

James Gardner

James Trafford and James Gardner (pictured) were handed their debut starts

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Solanke proved his value

One man who impressed on the night was Solanke, who looked lively from the first minute.

The Tottenham striker created a genuine threat and showed glimpses of quality despite not getting on the score sheet.

He was replaced in the 56th minute by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who appears to be the main rival in the battle for third-string striker.

Calvert-Lewin might be on good form in the Premier League, but he had a game to forget in the new red shirt tonight.

His biggest chance came when Palmer delivered a teasing ball into the six-yard box straight at the unmarked Leeds United striker, who flicked it wide of the post.

Solanke

One man who impressed on the night was Solanke

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Rashford is back to his best

Even by half-time, it was clear that Marcus Rashford appeared to be back at his best in an England shirt.

The Manchester United player, who is currently on loan at Barcelona, was electric down the left-hand side.

The winger made it look easy, on one occasion beating three Uruguayan defenders with ease before whipping a ball into the box.

At club level, the loanee is experiencing an impressive run with the Spanish giants, scoring five goals in nine appearances in Europe.

The attacker knows what it is like to miss out on a major tournament, with Gareth Southgate excluding him from his provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024 after a difficult season with United.

It is hard to see how Thomas Tuchel leaves Rashford off the team sheet after that performance and the form he is in for one of the biggest clubs in world football.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford appeared to be back at his best in an England shirt

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Thomas Tuchel should avoid Ben White

Ben White was met with loud boos and jeers when he was brought off the bench in the 67th minute to replace Fikayo Tomori.

The Arsenal right-back has seemingly not been forgiven by the Three Lions supporters.

White made himself "unavailable for selection" for the remainder of Gareth Southgate's tenure after a rumoured falling out with England coaching staff.

He was called up to the England squad by Tuchel for the first time in four years after ending his self-imposed international exile.

After scoring from a Palmer corner, he was once again booed by many of the 80,000-plus fans in the stadium when the announcer read his name.

This seems like a scenario Tuchel will be keen to avoid in the future, and if brought to North America, could spark a deep rift between manager and fanbase.

Ben White

Ben White was met with loud boos and jeers when he was brought off the bench

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England fans dreaming once more

As predicted, as the World Cup creeps closer, Wembley was bouncing in the lead-up to the fixture, and the excitement only built as the game progressed.

Songs of England's former glory were being sung outside the stadium, with supporters daring to dream once more.

England were impressive in parts, but it remains too early to determine whether they might just be able to challenge for glory at the 2026 World Cup.

The performance was forgettable, but with the team selected, a win, draw or loss wouldn't have affected the fans' confidence heading across the Atlantic.