England player ratings: Foden struggles as Japan snaps Pickford’s historic streak

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The Football Faithful

·1 April 2026

England player ratings: Foden struggles as Japan snaps Pickford’s historic streak

England suffered a sobering 1-0 defeat to Japan in their final friendly before Thomas Tuchel announces his squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The result ended an incredible defensive run for Jordan Pickford, who conceded for the first time in 922 minutes of international football. Tuchel used the evening to test several tactical theories, including Phil Foden in a “false nine” role and Cole Palmer as the primary playmaker.

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However, the experiment lacked rhythm, and it was Palmer who was caught in possession for Japan’s decisive goal. While Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly provided bright spots in an otherwise sluggish performance, many fringe players will be left feeling anxious ahead of the final squad selection.

Here is how the players rated at Wembley defeat:

England player ratings vs Japan

Goalkeeper & Defence

Jordan Pickford – 6/10 Saw his historic 922-minute clean sheet streak finally come to an end in the first half. Despite the goal, a sharp second-half save proved vital in preventing a heavier defeat for the hosts.

Ben White – 6/10 Recovered well after being bypassed early in the game. Consistency and a high work rate defined his performance, highlighted by several overlapping runs that provided a rare attacking outlet on the right.

Ezri Konsa – 6/10 Strengthened his case for a starting spot in the World Cup opener. A massive block to deny Ayase Ueda, which deflected the ball onto the crossbar, saved a certain goal.

Marc Guehi – 6/10 Handed the captain’s armband for the first time by Tuchel. A few nervous touches characterised his opening minutes, but he eventually settled into his usual dependable rhythm.

Nico O’Reilly – 7/10 Continues to make a strong claim for the permanent left-back role. Showing great technical ability, the youngster frequently moved into central areas to help build play from the midfield.

Midfield & Attack

Kobbie Mainoo – 6/10 Displayed his trademark close control and footwork during a lively opening period. While tidy on the ball, he found himself occasionally overwhelmed by Japan’s quick transitions in the middle of the park.

Elliot Anderson – 7/10 Arguably the most impressive performer on a difficult night. Driving the team forward at every opportunity, he nearly found the equaliser with a clever effort that clipped the woodwork.

Cole Palmer – 6/10 The focal point of England’s creative efforts as the designated number 10. Every dangerous moment seemed to involve him, yet his evening was marred by being dispossessed in a dangerous area for Japan’s winning goal.

Morgan Rogers – 6/10 Deployed out of position on the right wing to provide central support. While he lacked a natural striker to link up with, he was diligent in executing the tactical role the manager requested.

Anthony Gordon – 5/10 Full of energy and defensive discipline, yet lacked the final product to truly worry the Japanese backline. It was a hardworking shift, but it lacked a creative spark.

Phil Foden – 5/10 Looked uncomfortable in the experimental “false nine” role. Struggling to impact the game before being withdrawn, he may now be concerned about his specific role in the upcoming tournament.

Substitutes

Tino Livramento – 5/10 Endured a difficult cameo against the tricky Keito Nakamura. While his versatility is an asset, he struggled to find his footing defensively after coming on.

Lewis Hall – 5/10 Given half an hour to impress, he saw one late effort well saved. However, opportunities to overlap were limited by a very disciplined and organised Japanese defence.

Marcus Rashford – 6/10 Provided a much-needed direct threat during a disjointed second half. He registered England’s first shot on target and looked the most likely to force an opening late on.

Harry Maguire – 6/10 Made an instant impact from the bench and was agonisingly close to scoring when his header was cleared off the line. Remained a constant nuisance during late set-pieces.

Jarrod Bowen – 6/10 Found it hard to create any real fluidity during the flurry of late changes. His search for a standout England moment continues.

Dominic Solanke – 5/10 Brought on to provide a traditional focal point in attack. Unfortunately, the game had become too scrappy and disjointed for him to receive any meaningful service.

James Garner – 5/10 Kept things simple and looked for the ball constantly, though he currently appears to be behind Anderson in the midfield pecking order.

Dan Burn – 6/10 Introduced late to offer height and stability. Clearly a trusted figure for Tuchel, he helped maintain defensive shape during the final push.