Harry Maguire criticized a late VAR-awarded penalty that allowed Uruguay to snatch a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley on Friday night, overshadowing Ben White’s earlier opening goal.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire expressed deep frustration following England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay, labeling the stoppage-time penalty intervention “ridiculous.”
Despite England controlling much of the friendly, a VAR review judged Ben White to have committed a foul in the box.
Maguire defended his teammate’s actions to ITV, stating: “Ben’s just goes to try to block the shot. It’s not a bad tackle, it’s not malicious.”
The match marked a disjointed debut for several players under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.
While Maguire earned high praise from the national press for his leadership, the late equalizer cost England a morale-boosting victory.
Reflecting on the team’s loss of rhythm following several second-half substitutions, Maguire remained adamant about the final decision, adding: “It’s part and parcel of defending in the box, there is going to be contact.”