Sunday’s briefing: Scotland suffer Japan defeat while Maguire gets reality check

Scotland stepped up their preparations for the World Cup with defeat against Japan in a friendly.

Thomas Tuchel’s England will face Japan on Tuesday, and the German dealt a blow to Harry Maguire’s hopes of making the final World Cup squad.

Derby day in the Women’s Super League saw victories for Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Junya Ito’s late goal gave Japan a 1-0 win over Scotland in Steve Clarke’s side’s first 2026 World Cup warm-up game.

Clarke’s players left the Hampden Park pitch to euphoric scenes in November after their dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark qualified them for the finals in North America but their return to the national stadium was a much more sedate event.

Both sides hit the goal frame in the first half but Hajime Moriyasu’s side created more opportunities after the break and substitute Ito shot past keeper Angus Gunn in the 84th minute to break the deadlock and leave Scotland winless in four meetings against Japan.

Clarke revealed his surprise and disappointment after hearing some boos from the Tartan Army, saying: “It’s just the modern way, it seems to be now if you lose a game you get booed. You have just got to deal with it. It disappoints me.”

England boss Tuchel has appeared to deliver a big blow to Maguire’s World Cup chances by insisting he is still at least the fifth-choice centre-back.

Maguire looked to have strengthened his case for being on the plane to North America in the summer as he delivered a commanding performance on his return to the national team set-up in Friday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay.

“I got exactly what I thought, solid, solid central defender play,” said Tuchel. “That’s what he does. Very good on the ball, very calm, strong in the air and (as a) weapon for