Kaoru Mitoma’s strike saw Japan condemn England to a shock 1-0 friendly defeat at Wembley Stadium, London.
Mitoma finished Keito Nakamura’s return pass in an one-two counter-attacking move after Cole Palmer had been dispossessed in the 23rd minute.
The result marked England’s first loss to Asian competition across any competition.
With manager, Thomas Tuchel having made 10 changes from their 1-1 draw against Uruguay, England began the friendly on the front foot aside from a series of blocked quick-fire follow-up shots following a 12th-minute corner.
Japan though posed more of an immediate threat as Ayase Ueda dragged a third-minute shot wide across goal as the Asian visitors adopted a deep defensive press which could turn over into rapid counter-attacks.
That approach paid dividends in the 23rd minute as Cole Palmer was intercepted and the ball played long to Mitoma, who opted to play a pass out left to Nakamura, who in-turn picked out Mitoma to sweep his return pass into the bottom right corner to put Japan ahead.
England failed to restore parity before half time as Nico O’Reilly dragged a low shot wide, whilst Elliot Anderson curled a 34th-minute attempt marginally over the crossbar.
Japan however could of further extended their lead as Kaishu Sano flicked over the bar in the 32nd minute, before Ueda struck the crossbar nine minutes later.
Ritsu Doan then saw a 50th-minute shot saved by Jordan Pickford as Japan continued to look the more lively team early in the second half.
England’s biggest issue in the first half was their lack of high-speed pace and movement in the passes and fans saw little improvement in the second half, as Ezri Konsa nodded a corner wide of the left corner.
Tuchel’s Three Lions eventually mustered their first shot on target in the 77th minute after a corner was bobbled around the edge of the box, which fell for substitute – Marcus Rashford whose low shot was flapped away by Zion Suzuki before Jarrod Bowen flicked his rebound effort wide of his near-bottom right corner.
England proceeded to win a series of corner within the final ten minutes in which substitute, Harry Maguire headed a 84th-minute delivery over the bar, then repeated wasteful final touch just three minutes later.
Lewis Hall nearly pulled England level with an 89th-minute shot which Suzuki saved, before Morgan Rogers fired over the bar barely a minute later as the hosts’ end product became panicky in their final touches.
Japan though dug in defensively to protect their lead to the final whistle to become the first Asian team to beat England in all competitions.
What’s Next?
England will next be in action in Florida on 7 and 10 June in friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica ahead of their World Cup opener against Croatia on 17 June, with venues and kick-off times yet to be officially announced.
Japan will host Iceland in Tokyo on 31 May in their final warm-up ahead of their World Cup opener against Netherlands on 14 June.
Teams
England: Jordan Pickford, Ben White (Livramento 59′), Ezri Konsa (Maguire 83′), Marc Guehi (Burn 83′), Nico O’Reilly (Hall 59′), Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo (Garner 71′), Cole Palmer (Bowen 59′), Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden (Solanke 59′), Anthony Gordon (Rashford 71′)
Substitutes: Harvey Barnes, Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, Dan Burn, James Garner, Lewis Hall, Dean Henderson, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford, Dominic Solanke, Djed Spence, Jason Steele, James Trafford
Japan: Zion Suzuki, Shogo Taniguchi, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Junya Ito (Y.Suzuki 80′), Ritsu Doan (Tanaka 71′), Daichi Kamada (Sugawara 80′), Kaishu Sano, Keito Nakamura (Machino 80′), Hiroki Ito (Seko 66′), Kaoru Mitoma (J.Suzuki 71′), Ayase Ueda (Ogawa 66′)
Substitutes: Joel Chirma Fujita, Daiki Hashioka, Tomoki Hayakawa, Shuto Machino, Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Keisuke Osako, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki, Yuito Suzuki, Ao Tanaka
Referee – Nick Walsh