England 0-1 Japan: Three Lions beaten at Wembley through Mitoma goal as March camp ends winless

England endured another difficult night at Wembley as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Japan in their second March friendly ahead of the World Cup.

Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma scored the game’s only goal, finishing off a devastating counter-attack and showing the kind of clinical edge which England lacked throughout the evening.

It follows on from a lacklustre 1-1 draw against Uruguay last week but with many key stars returning for this game, it was more of the same disappointment for Thomas Tuchel and his side.

England sliced open by Samurai Blue

England knew pretty early on at Wembley that this friendly would be no walkover, with Japan instantly taking the game to the hosts and never giving them a moment’s rest while on the ball.

The Three Lions, lining up in a slightly different way with Phil Foden as a false nine, began to click in attack after 10 minutes with Morgan Rogers, Marc Guehi and Cole Palmer trying their luck with shots that were blocked.

Tuchel’s men continued to enjoy most of the ball but they were quickly undone by a lightning-fast counterattack. After Palmer was dispossessed by Mitoma, a nice move was eventually finished off by the Brighton winger to put the Samurai Blue in front at Wembley.

Japan seemed to grow into the game after that goal but Elliot Anderson led the fightback, cutting inside and striking the crossbar with a nicely-struck shot from the edge of the box.

But there was a lucky escape for the Three Lions shortly before half-time when Ayase Ueda smacked an effort off the woodwork, albeit there was a hint of offside had it found the net.

The half-time whistle blew leaving Tuchel with plenty to think about over the break as a result of a fairly underwhelming display in the first period.

England fail to inspire World Cup excitement

The same XI remained for the second half and it was Japan who had the first good chance of the half as Ritsu Doan jinked inside before trying to beat Jordan Pickford at the near post with a shot which was well saved.

Another nervy moment came England’s way when Doan nipped in to get the ball ahead of the onrushing Pickford but the ball was just too high for Mitoma to head it in, before Junya Ito’s shot on the edge of the box had to be blocked by Marc Guehi on the stretch.

Ezri Konsa provided England with their closest chance in the second half just prior to 60 minutes, heading a corner well wide of the target.

A change finally came as Foden and Palmer were among those brought off, seeing Rogers shift to a more familiar No10 position and he quickly showed his brightest moment, driving through the defence before a tame effort at the keeper.

The introduction of Lewis Hall and Marcus Rashford injected some energy, with the former getting to the byline and hanging up a good cross which was just out of reach for Rogers.

Rashford then had England’s first shot on target with 10 minutes to play, firing an effort which the goalkeeper could only palm away before Bowen just missed the target on the turn.

Substitute Harry Maguire was the next to go close, with the defender powering a header towards goal before it was cleared away.

Perhaps the nest chance came as the clock struck 90 minutes, with a corner finding the feet of Rogers who took a touch before balooning an effort over the bar.