Elliot Anderson won his seventh England cap against Japan
Published April 1, 2026 • Source: bbc.com
England were beaten 1-0 by Japan in their last friendly before Thomas Tuchel names his World Cup squad.
BBC Sport football news reporter Alex Howell rates how the players performed at Wembley - and you can see how BBC Sport readers rated them at the bottom of the page too.
Starting XI
Jordan Pickford : Japan's opening goal was the first time Pickford had conceded for England in 922 minutes. He had to produce a smart save in the second half to keep the hosts in the game. 6
Ben White : Beaten once early on but showed the consistency he has done for Arsenal after that. A constant hard-working presence down the right-hand side. One particularly good overlapping run in the first half. 6
Ezri Konsa : In with a big chance of starting the first game at the World Cup. One crucial block to deny Ayase Ueda with the shot hitting the bar and going over. 6
Marc Guehi : Given the armband by Tuchel for the first time. A couple of shaky moments early on but after that as dependable as ever. 6
Nico O'Reilly : Another important game for O'Reilly as he makes the left-back position his own before the summer. He showed his ability on the ball and moved into midfield whenever he could. 7
Kobbie Mainoo : A bright start and some nice footwork when moving the ball around midfield. Beaten a couple of times on Japan attacks when trying to defend. 6
Elliot Anderson : A certain starter at the World Cup. Assured in midfield, provided a drive to England's play and tried to make things happen. One of the better performers on the night and clipped the crossbar with a good effort. 7
Cole Palmer : The Chelsea attacker was given the nod as the number 10 over Phil Foden who played as a false nine. There was always a sense that something could happen when Palmer was on the ball. However, he was caught on the ball and punished for Japan's opener. Came off just before the hour mark. 6
Morgan Rogers : Started on the right wing and asked to provide a threat through the middle with no natural striker in the starting line-up. Not his best position but did the job that was asked of him. 6
Anthony Gordon : Put in another energetic performance with lots of hard work but not many moments to threaten the Japan defence. 5
Phil Foden : The Man City forward started as a false nine as Tuchel looks for a position for him in England's squad. It was not a good night for Foden who will be worried about his place on the plane for the World Cup. Replaced in the 59th minute. 5
Substitutes
Tino Livramento : Given trouble by the tricky Keito Nakamura when he came on. Livramento will go to the World Cup and can play on either side of the defence. 5
Lewis Hall : Given 30 minutes by Tuchel as he looks to secure his place for the World Cup. Saw a late chance well saved but other chances to get forward were few and far between as Japan defended well. 5
Jarrod Bowen : It has never really clicked for Bowen in an England shirt and with all the substitutions late on the England attacks never felt fluid. 6
Dominic Solanke : Brought on as a traditional focal point after Foden was given the chance as a false nine. Played well against Uruguay but not much to show this evening as the game became disjointed. 5
James Garner : The Everton midfielder always looked to get on the ball. Kept things simple but behind Anderson in the midfield picks. 5
Marcus Rashford : The game was disjointed due to all the changes when Rashford came on. Provided a threat for England and had their first shot on target as they chased the game. 6
Harry Maguire: A late substitute but nearly scored with his first touch as his header from a corner was cleared off the line. Was a constant threat from set-pieces late on. 6
Dan Burn: Well liked by Tuchel and brought on with Maguire as England's first-choice centre-backs were replaced. 6
How BBC Sport readers rated the players
Player of the match
Number: 7 K. Mitoma Average rating 8.18
England (active)
Japan
Number: 4 E. Anderson
Average Rating: 5.97
Number: 1 J. Pickford
Average Rating: 5.83
Number: 6 H. Maguire
Average Rating: 5.73
Number: 11 M. Rashford
Average Rating: 5.45
Number: 26 L. Hall
Average Rating: 5.44
Number: 5 M. Guéhi
Average Rating: 5.22
Number: 3 N. O'Reilly
Average Rating: 5.03
Number: 20 J. Bowen
Average Rating: 4.98
Number: 8 K. Mainoo
Average Rating: 4.90
Number: 25 T. Livramento
Average Rating: 4.88
Number: 2 E. Konsa
Average Rating: 4.87
Number: 21 J. Garner
Average Rating: 4.85
Number: 14 A. Gordon
Average Rating: 4.85
Number: 15 M. Rogers
Average Rating: 4.77
Number: 17 D. Burn
Average Rating: 4.75
Number: 12 B. White
Average Rating: 4.58
Number: 18 D. Solanke
Average Rating: 4.40
Number: 7 C. Palmer
Average Rating: 4.15
Number: 9 P. Foden
Average Rating: 3.58
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Number: 7 K. Mitoma
Average Rating: 8.18
Number: 14 J. Ito
Average Rating: 7.39
Number: 13 K. Nakamura
Average Rating: 7.36
Number: 24 K. Sano
Average Rating: 7.32
Number: 10 R. Doan
Average Rating: 7.27
Number: 1 Z. Suzuki
Average Rating: 7.22
Number: 5 T. Watanabe
Average Rating: 7.18
Number: 15 D. Kamada
Average Rating: 7.17
Number: 18 A. Ueda
Average Rating: 7.15
Number: 3 S. Taniguchi
Average Rating: 7.14
Number: 21 H. Ito
Average Rating: 7.13
Number: 17 A. Tanaka
Average Rating: 6.97
Number: 2 Y. Sugawara
Average Rating: 6.92
Number: 8 Y. Suzuki
Average Rating: 6.89
Number: 25 J. Suzuki
Average Rating: 6.88
Number: 19 K. Ogawa
Average Rating: 6.85
Number: 9 S. Machino
Average Rating: 6.82
Number: 4 A. Seko
Average Rating: 6.80
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After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.