Garner Picks Up Second England Cap In Three Lions' Defeat To Japan

James Garner earned his second senior England camp on Tuesday evening but his second-half introduction could not prevent the Three Lions falling to a 1-0 defeat to Japan. Having not conceded an international goal since October 2024, Jordan Pickford started the friendly contest at Wembley. Thomas Tuchel’s side were caught out in possession midway through the second half and Brighton’s Karou Mitoma plundered the game’s solitary strike. Meanwhile, after Saturday’s heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat that ended their dream of a place at this summer’s World Cup, the Republic of Ireland faced North Macedonia in Dublin. Seamus Coleman played the opening hour of the 0-0 draw, with Jake O’Brien and Mark Travers coming off the bench in the second half. Elsewhere, Idrissa Gana Gueye played the final five minutes of Senegal’s 3-1 win over Gambia in Dakar. Tom King was an unused substitute for Wales in their 1-1 draw against Northern Ireland. At Under-21 level, Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George helped England to a 4-1 win against Moldova. Dibling started for the Young Lions in Norwich and was withdrawn after 74 minutes with the score at 3-1, while George came off the bench on 58 minutes. The result keeps England top of their European Championship qualifying group.