Japan secured a 1-0 victory over England in a pre-World Cup friendly at Wembley, with Kaoru Mitoma scoring the only goal. The result raised questions about England's ability to perform without captain Harry Kane, who missed the match with a sore foot.
England struggled to create clear chances, lacking penetration in the final third. Manager Thomas Tuchel started with Cole Palmer and Phil Foden as twin number 10s in a 4-2-4 formation, but the system failed to produce goals. Japan defended compactly and limited England's opportunities.
Mitoma opened the scoring midway through the first half, starting the move by dispossessing Palmer before driving forward and finishing after a one-two with Keito Nakamura. The goal ended Jordan Pickford's run of 922 minutes without conceding for England.
England's best chances came from set pieces after the introduction of Harry Maguire and Dan Burn, but Japan held on. The defeat follows a 3-1 loss to Senegal and a 1-1 draw with Uruguay in Tuchel's previous friendlies against top-20 sides.
England fans booed at full-time as the team limps towards the World Cup finals. Tuchel made several substitutions in search of an equaliser, but Japan's defence, led by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, remained resolute.
