On the night of the pre-World Cup friendly, as England drew 1–1 with Uruguay, Ben White scored on a recall to the England side and conceded a penalty in stoppage time, but Florian Wirths scored twice and scored two more as Germany came from behind twice to beat Switzerland 4–3.
In Friday’s other games, the Netherlands beat Norway 2-1 in Amsterdam and Spain beat Serbia 3-0, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring an impressive brace.
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White was a controversial selection by England manager Thomas Tuchel, four years after he sent off a team-mate midway through the last World Cup.
The Arsenal defender was replaced by Fikayo Tomori with 21 minutes remaining in Friday’s lackluster game, but his appearance was greeted with some boos from the 80,000 fans at Wembley.
“He needs to take it on the chin,” Tuchel said. “We will always protect him. Hopefully we can forget about it because he’s ready to write some new chapters and we’re ready to give him a chance too, so hopefully everyone can move forward and embrace it.”
With 10 minutes remaining, White scored a well-timed goal to give England the lead. Cole Palmer’s corner kick was deflected and White slotted the ball into the far post for what was undoubtedly one of the easiest goals of his career.
Uruguay were unable to get a shot on target and looked like they might have won the game, but White set Federico Vinas inside the box after 90 minutes.
After a video review, the referee pointed out the spot and Uruguay equalized with Federico Valverde’s conversion.
It was England’s first goal conceded in seven games, but the decision infuriated the manager and players, with Tuchel clarifying that it was “not a penalty”.
Brilliant Worts defeats Switzerland
In Basel, Germany won six games in a row, thanks in large part to the talent of Liverpool’s Wirtz.
Germany looked unstable at the back, but they turned things around in the 17th minute when Dan Ndoye cut in from the left and fired a shot past Oliver Baumann from a narrow angle.
Germany equalized nine minutes later when Wirtz’s cross from the left was headed in by Jonathan Tarr, but Briel Embolo put Switzerland ahead again in the 41st minute with a diving header after Baumann hesitated to leave the front line.
Just before half-time, Wirtz pulled Germany back into the game. His fluttered pass cut through the Swiss defense and Serge Gnabry lifted the ball past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Wirtz then scored the best goal of the night 11 minutes into the second half to give Germany a 3-2 lead. He took a superb right-footed shot from 30 meters (33 yards) that sailed past Korbel and into the top corner of the goal.
Joel Monteiro tied it for the home team 10 minutes before the end with a rifle shot that gave Baumann no chance, but Wirtz made another great shot from the 18-yard line six minutes before the end to make it 4-3.
The result ended Switzerland’s 10-game unbeaten streak.
Oyarzabal plays for Spain as Netherlands beat Norway
At Villarreal, Oyarzabal became Spain’s star man for the game against Serbia, which was scheduled at short notice.
The match was set up at short notice after Spain’s proposed match against Argentina in Doha was canceled due to war in the Middle East, and the hosts showed why they are among the favorites to win their second World Cup this June and July.
Oyarzabal scored his first goal with 16 minutes remaining after a smart dummy by Alex Baena from a Fermín López pass gave them time and space on the edge of the Serbian box.
His second, one minute before halftime, was an unstoppable left-footed shot from about 25 meters (27 yards).
This goal took his international tally to 26 goals in 53 games, extending his impressive scoring streak. The Real Sociedad striker has scored 11 goals in his last 10 games for Spain.
Oyarzabal was removed in the 63rd minute as Spain allowed Osasuna winger Víctor Muñoz to make his debut, but the Serbian team’s momentum continued. Munoz ended a happy night with a goal nine minutes later. He received a great backheel pass from Ferran Torres and stroked the ball to make it 3-0.
In Amsterdam, Norway rested record scorer Erling Haaland but took the lead after 25 minutes through Andreas Schjelderup’s curling shot.
Virgil van Dijk leveled the score 10 minutes later with a header from a corner kick, and five minutes into the second half Tijani Lijnders scored from close range to give the hosts victory.
The win extended the Netherlands’ unbeaten streak to nine games. Ronald Koeman’s side last lost to Spain in the Nations League a year ago.
In other matches, Algeria, who will face Austria, Jordan and reigning world champions Argentina in the World Cup, defeated Guatemala 7-0 in Genoa, while Egypt defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0.
Morocco, who drew 1-1 with Ecuador, fell behind thanks to John Yeboah’s goal early in the second half, but Neir El Ainaoui’s goal with two minutes remaining secured them a share of the spoils.
