How England’s fringe players fared during World Cup audition

FootballSports
28 Mar 2026 • 6:38 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • England drew 1-1 with Uruguay in a friendly match, where manager Thomas Tuchel utilised a squad of fringe players to assess their potential for the World Cup.
  • Ben White scored England's goal but subsequently conceded the penalty from which Federico Valverde equalised for Uruguay.
  • The game was marked by a disconnected team performance and a lack of atmosphere, with many spectators leaving early.
  • Notable incidents included injuries to Noni Madueke and Phil Foden, which could impact their club commitments.
  • Tuchel's approach was deliberate, aiming to rest senior players and experiment with others to ensure fitness and freshness for the upcoming World Cup.

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