England suffered their first-ever defeat to Japan and a first loss since June in a concerning World Cup warm-up friendly. The Three Lions conceded a stoppage-time penalty to draw with Uruguay last Friday and it was hoped the test of a strong Japan side, who will be in Group F at this summer’s tournament, would see a much-changed home team raise its level.

That was not the case, and Thomas Tuchel’s team produced a dull and underwhelming display to fall to a rare loss on home soil, with a smattering of boos at the final whistle. The Samurai Blue secured a historic victory thanks to Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma’s 23rd-minute finish that capped off a wonderful passage of play. Express Sport runs you through the main talking points…

England’s XI becomes clearer

Tuchel effectively split his extended squad into two for these friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. There were 10 changes to the XI here. And it’s clear this team was closer to the one that will start against Croatia on June 17 than Friday’s line-up.

Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Reece James were all absent through injury and all four are certain to start if fit, while Lewis Hall looks the first-choice left-back. But from this team, Jordan Pickford, Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson are highly probable starters. Ezri Konsa may also have the edge over Harry Maguire.

That means, all of a sudden, nine spots of the starting 11 vs Croatia are taken. Their team-mates did little to dispel that theory tonight. The only unsecured positions are at left wing (where Marcus Rashford has Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers for competition) and the No.10 role, where Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Rogers can all operate. This writer’s money is on Rashford and Bellingham.

What’s happened to Palmer?

After his goal in the Euro 2024 final, which came fresh off the back of a 27-goal, 15-assist season for Chelsea, Palmer was seen as the future of the England team. The Palmer on show here, and the one the Premier League has seen for much of this season, is a pale imitation of the same player two years ago.

Since that final, Palmer has admittedly been dogged by injuries. This was only his fifth appearance of a potential 17 for the Three Lions since misery in Berlin. And it was another unforgettable one with zero successful dribbles, zero shots on target, only one touch in the opposition box and zero defensive contributions.

It was he who lost the ball for the Japan goal and his substitution on 59 minutes was no surprise, even if it may have been pre-planned. And if he wants to start over Bellingham in the US, he will need to be much, much better than this for Chelsea between now and the end of the season.

The Harry Kane problem

Neither of the two Doms – Solanke or Calvert-Lewin – did much in the last match to certify themselves as the back-up to Harry Kane. Here, with Ollie Watkins omitted from the squad, it was Foden who deputised as a false nine in the first half. It didn’t work.

It wasn’t solely the Manchester City man’s fault because it was a disjointed attack all over. But it was a reminder to Tuchel of one of the biggest dilemmas he faces at this World Cup. Kane, 32, cannot play every minute as his last-minute injury absence proves. So who leads the line when he can’t?

There is no obvious answer. That the 5ft 7ins Foden, who is such a different profile to Kane, started here said as much. Anthony Gordon played more centrally second half but the attack still looked toothless. It wasn’t much better when Jarrod Bowen, Rashford and Solanke came on. England’s only real consistent threat came from set-pieces. Tuchel certainly has a lot of deliberating to do between now and May.

Japan live up to the hype

In Asia, this Japan team is viewed as their best ever – even superior to the one that beat Germany and Spain at the Qatar World Cup. And a beautifully worked counter-attack goal, the first goal Jordan Pickford has conceded in an England shirt since October 2024, was a very obvious indicator of their quality.

This was England’s final match before Tuchel names his provisional World Cup squad. And so it was only right that they were issued a stricter test. Japan gave them that, making England wait until the 77th minute for their first shot on target.

But it was their incisive, quick passing and exciting attacking play that really caught the eye. In fact, it was the kind of football England fans were desperately craving – but they didn’t get it. They got a late flurry after the substitutions, but still it was largely just set-piece threat rather than chances from open play. For Japan though, this, off the back of beating Scotland at Hampden Park, will give them tonnes of confidence.