LONDON — Ben White’s return to the England national team didn’t unfold quite as he had envisioned. Upon being introduced as a substitute in the 69th minute, he faced a chorus of boos from some fans. However, he promptly made his mark by scoring his first international goal after a four-year hiatus, only to be met with even louder boos.
Just as it seemed that White’s goal might secure a win for a lackluster team performance, he conceded a penalty in stoppage time, which Federico Valverde converted, resulting in a 1-1 draw for Uruguay at Wembley Stadium.
White’s inclusion in the England squad for this match was not without its share of controversy. He had not played for the national team since departing the 2022 World Cup early due to what the Football Association labeled “personal reasons.” Reports suggested he had fallen out with a coaching staff member. Though Gareth Southgate later denied any altercation, White declined subsequent call-ups, effectively distancing himself from national duties until now.
That changed on Friday.
Initially, England manager Thomas Tuchel did not include White in his expanded 35-man squad, but an injury to Jarell Quansah prompted a surprise late inclusion. Tuchel expressed that “everybody deserves a second chance” following discussions with White in recent months, but many of the 80,581 spectators clearly disagreed with this decision.
Tuchel acknowledged he heard about the boos but missed them during the match. “It can’t be the majority that booed,” he said, reacting to the mixed reception. “I’m disappointed because we need to protect our players. He was excellent in camp and deserved his chance.” He concluded, “He needs to take it on the chin, and hopefully, we can all move forward.”
White’s tumultuous cameo stood in stark contrast to the team’s disjointed performance earlier in the match.
Tuchel had previously praised his split-squad plan, allowing 11 players to rest together before their next training session ahead of an upcoming friendly against Japan. But what unfolded instead was a scene reminiscent of England’s less glorious moments — uninspired football met with fans’ dissatisfaction, notably expressed through paper airplanes and booing.
Southgate worked tirelessly to elevate England from such disappointing displays, and while there were occasional low points, he largely succeeded.
Tuchel hopes White’s situation is a unique case, possibly compounded by his selection overshadowing fan-favorite Trent Alexander-Arnold, a player with a decorated career yet limited faith from Southgate and now Tuchel. More likely, however, it stems from lingering perceptions of White’s reluctance to represent the national team. Supporters, already facing significant expenses for attending the World Cup, are unlikely to overlook any doubts regarding loyalty.
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Burley criticizes ‘awful’ England after draw with Uruguay
Craig Burley reacts to England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay at Wembley.
On top of that, the team’s overall performance did little to lift spirits. Phil Foden was given a crucial opportunity to assert himself as the No. 10 choice but failed to inspire. His night took a turn for the worse when he suffered a brutal tackle from Ronald Araújo early in the second half, leaving Tuchel fuming, yet the challenge went unpunished. Foden later exited the match due to injury.
England’s frustrations were exacerbated when a penalty was awarded for White’s challenge on Federico Viñas during a VAR review, a call that Harry Maguire deemed “ridiculous.” There were further issues with officiating, as German referee Sven Jablonski appeared to show Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte two yellow cards without sending him off, with the officials later claiming the second card was rescinded.
“The referee’s performance was less than good,” Tuchel said following the match. “I can’t understand how that tackle on Foden wasn’t even reviewed. The penalty was very soft, and there were discussions about a player receiving two yellow cards and not being sent off. Just a bad day at the office.”
Once the referee controversy settles, England will have to reflect on an evening where few players stood out. James Trafford and James Garner made their debuts, while Fikayo Tomori returned after 2½ years, Maguire after 18 months, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw substitute action for the first time in nearly five years.
Garner and Maguire were likely the more notable performers on a generally dull night. Tuchel aims to capitalize on the Premier League’s trend of set-piece strength, making England’s goal from a corner a positive takeaway from the match.
Despite the turmoil, Tuchel noted aspects to learn from against a tough opponent. “It was a valuable experience,” he said. “We knew it would be challenging, and we needed this type of test.”
While this might have been a scenario Tuchel anticipated, for White, it was far from expected.