Guéhi: ‘It is important that we stick together’

Marc Guéhi remained upbeat after England’s 1-0 defeat to Japan at Wembley in the Send-Off Series.

The defender was entrusted with the captain's armband for the first time by Thomas Tuchel. He became the 129th player to captain the Three Lions.

A first-half Kaoru Mitoma goal was the difference on the night but it was a lesson learned, in Guéhi’s eyes.

“Obviously it's disappointing but we have to be realistic,” he said after the game.

“This is why we play these games towards this time in the season – we need these tests as a team.

“If we have the right perspective then these games help us to build, to be better, to improve, and to go into the next stage, which is the World Cup, and to be ready."

The Three Lions have enjoyed an impressive run under Tuchel, qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a perfect record.

And the loss to Japan is just the head coach’s second defeat in charge.

“We have to be critical of ourselves but again these are the tests that we need,” he continued.

“It is important to have these games to see where we are at, but it is all about perspective, making sure we learn and we stick together.

“It is easy to look at this one game, especially after the campaign that we've had. It's been positive, so it's important that we stick together and get better.”

And the message from the stand-in skipper was simple, to look to the future and this summer’s tournament.

“We actually had a lot of chances today from set pieces and created what we could,” he explained. But we couldn't find the back of the net.

“It is important we stay positive, stick behind each other and stick together.

"It's not easy putting the shirt on. You play against teams that are well drilled and disciplined.

“They qualified for the World Cup as well and they want to prove a point when they come here.

“I will reiterate, it is important that we stick together, learn from this moment and move forward."