England's Struggles Against Top-20 Teams Under Tuchel
England have yet to secure a victory against a nation ranked in the top 20 during Thomas Tuchel's tenure as manager.
The Three Lions have faced three top-20 ranked sides under Tuchel and remain without a win.
During World Cup qualification, England dominated by winning all eight matches without conceding a goal. However, their recent 1-0 defeat to Japan, ranked 18th globally, at Wembley Stadium—their final match before Tuchel announces his World Cup squad—has raised concerns about their performance against elite teams.
Japan's victory marked the first time an Asian team defeated England, leaving the Three Lions without a win at the conclusion of the March international break.
It can be argued that Tuchel experimented with his line-ups in the previous matches, including the 3-1 loss to 14th-ranked Senegal last June, the 1-1 draw with 17th-ranked Uruguay, and the recent defeat to Japan. Such experimentation might not occur during a major tournament.
Nonetheless, critics contend that Tuchel should use these matches to identify his strongest starting eleven and prepare them for the challenges of the upcoming World Cup, especially since England did not face comparable opposition during qualification.
Serbia, England's most challenging opponent in qualification, is ranked 39th worldwide and was convincingly defeated 5-0 away and 2-0 at Wembley in November.
A significant concern for England and Tuchel is the potential absence of captain and record goalscorer Harry Kane. Kane missed the match against Japan due to an injury sustained in training, and England struggled offensively without a clear replacement.
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden was deployed as a false nine but did not perform well. Tuchel noted that this international window has offered him "more clarity" rather than raising further questions about his squad.
"I am disappointed, everyone is," Tuchel said. "I knew that we had a top exam in this window because our players are heavy in club football and in European football in the most physical toughest league that there is. We played against two top-20 teams, well drilled and very good opponents who arrived with their best line-up. We had big changes in the middle of camp, suddenly after the [Uruguay] match we had seven or eight injuries who had to leave. It is not an excuse, it is just an explanation why things are not perfectly smooth and perfectly at the highest level we expect."
Failed Experiment as England Experience Life Without Kane
Questions remain about who will be a certain starter at the World Cup and how England's players have been rated in recent matches.
England were without several key players who would likely start in their strongest lineup, including Kane, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, and John Stones.
"We go out to win every game and be at our best. We weren't at it," forward Morgan Rogers told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Japan are a really good side and they took their chance and we didn't. We learn about each other. We keep moving, we keep working, we keep pushing."
Rogers was positioned on the right wing during the match as Tuchel experimented with attacking options. The Aston Villa player, who excelled as a number 10 during qualification, is unlikely to play in that role when England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17.
"This isn't the be all and end all. I think fans and and stuff are going to be disappointed," Rogers added. "The media are going to talk about 'we're not ready yet and we're not favourites and stuff', we don't look at that at all. We know how good we are. We know how good we can be. We believe we can challenge any team in the world and it's about showing that and being at our best when it comes to that."
Tuchel expressed that he is not overly concerned by the recent result.
"It's unpleasant and we don't like it, I'm the first one to admit I hate losing. That's just the reality of it and has not a lot to do with what will happen in June," the German manager said.
England's Most Embarrassing Wembley Defeats
England have experienced several notable defeats at Wembley Stadium, some of which have been particularly embarrassing or significant in the nation's football history.
England 1-2 Greece (2024, Nations League) - Greece stunned a dismal England side led by interim boss Lee Carsley with a 94th-minute winner. Despite the loss, England still topped their Nations League group.
England 0-1 Iceland (2024, friendly) - England's final friendly before Euro 2024 ended in a lackluster defeat by Iceland. Gareth Southgate's team, however, went on to reach the Euro 2024 final.
England 2-3 Croatia (2007, Euro 2008 qualifying) - A surprising defeat in heavy rain to Croatia meant England missed qualification for Euro 2008, as a draw would have sufficed. Manager Steve McClaren was dismissed the following day.
England 0-1 Scotland (1999, Euro 2000 qualifying play-off) - England's penultimate competitive match at the original Wembley ended in defeat to rivals Scotland. The Three Lions still qualified for Euro 2000 due to a 2-0 win in the previous leg at Hampden Park.
England 3-6 Hungary (1953, friendly) - Later dubbed the "match of the century," Hungary handed England their first home defeat by a non-British or Irish side. This result sent shockwaves through Europe and is regarded as a pivotal moment in English football history.
England 1-5 Scotland (1928, British Home Championship) - Scotland's "Wembley Wizards" inflicted a humiliating loss on favorites England, ensuring the Three Lions finished the 1928 British Home Championship with no points and in last place.
