The Football Faithful
·28 de marzo de 2026
England player ratings vs Uruguay: Ben White’s mixed fortunes in dramatic return

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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·28 de marzo de 2026

England’s experimental line-up was denied a victory in the dying seconds as Thomas Tuchel’s fringe stars played out a disjointed 1-1 draw with Uruguay on Friday night.
In a match designed to test depth ahead of this summer’s World Cup, the narrative was dominated by Ben White, who made his first appearance since the 2022 tournament.
The Arsenal defender was initially met with a mixed reception but appeared to have secured a win when he turned home a Cole Palmer corner in the 81st minute.
However, the evening ended in frustration as White was penalised for a 94th-minute foul in the box. Federico Valverde made no mistake from the spot, rifling the penalty past debutant James Trafford.
Adding to the frustration, Tuchel now faces an anxious wait on the fitness of Noni Madueke and Phil Foden, both of whom were forced off following heavy challenges.
While it was a useful tactical exercise featuring a senior debut for James Garner, the lack of clinical finishing—most notably from Dominic Calvert-Lewin—left the Wembley crowd wanting more.
Here is how the England players rated at Wembley:
James Trafford – 6/10 Calmness on the ball was the standout feature of this assured senior debut. A commanding punch to clear a dangerous first-half delivery showed a goalkeeper who was unfazed by the occasion.
Tino Livramento – 6/10 Steady and reliable on the right side of the defence. This performance solidified his status as a high-quality alternative to the absent Reece James.
Fikayo Tomori – 6/10 Recovery pace was used effectively on the rare occasions the visitors broke the line. The AC Milan defender worked well alongside his partner, despite minimal pressure.
Harry Maguire – 7/10 Leadership was evident throughout, particularly after taking the captain’s armband for the second half. Stepping into midfield with possession allowed England to progress, and a heroic late block almost preserved the win.
Djed Spence – 5/10 Attacking width was provided consistently, but defensive lapses were an issue. One particular Uruguayan counter-attack exploited the space left behind after a high press.
Jordan Henderson – 6/10 Tidy and efficient, the veteran spent much of the night marshalling the less experienced squad members. It was a professional shift that required more vocal leadership than physical exertion.
James Garner – 6/10 A debut to be proud of for the Everton midfielder. Entrusted with set-piece duties early on, his passing remained crisp, and his 93% accuracy helped maintain a semblance of control in the middle.
Phil Foden – 5/10 Lacked the usual creative spark in a match that struggled for quality. A bruising challenge from Ronald Araujo curtailed his evening prematurely, sparking injury fears for the summer.
Noni Madueke – 5/10 Positive intent was clear from the opening whistle, frequently looking to challenge his full-back. Sadly, a heavy collision saw him withdrawn before the interval with a concerning knee issue.
Marcus Rashford – 7/10 (Man of the Match) The most dangerous player in red. One magnificent length-of-the-pitch run showcased his explosive speed, and every touch suggested he was the only player capable of breaking the deadlock.
Dominic Solanke – 6/10 Flashes of genuine quality, including a clever nutmeg, highlighted a bright first half. Link-up play with the wide men was constructive, though he was denied a goal by a smart block.
Ben White – 6/10 A true “box-office” cameo. Silencing the early boos with a poached goal at the back post, his night was ultimately marred by the clumsy challenge that gifted Uruguay the equaliser.
Cole Palmer – 6/10 Improved the tempo immediately upon introduction. A superb free-kick delivery should have resulted in a late assist had the finish been more accurate.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5/10 Wasted a golden opportunity to settle the game. A point-blank header from five yards out went wide, marking a frustrating return to the international fold.
Jarrod Bowen – 5/10 Quiet after replacing Madueke in the first half. The West Ham man struggled to get involved in the game’s disjointed rhythm.
Adam Wharton – 5/10 Injected some composure but was unable to find the killer pass as the game slowed down in the second period.
Lewis Hall – 5/10 Displayed impressive running power and produced one solid recovery challenge to halt a dangerous break.
Kobbie Mainoo – 5/10 Kept the game simple and avoided any major risks during his time on the pitch.









































