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Germany's Wirtz destroys Swiss and White caps England return as hero and villain

Sport

Germany's Wirtz destroys Swiss and White caps England return as hero and villain
Sport

Sport

Germany's Wirtz destroys Swiss and White caps England return as hero and villain

2026-03-28 09:22 Last Updated At:09:30

Mikel Oyarzabal scored two impressive goals in Spain’s 3-0 win over Serbia, and Florian Wirtz scored two and made two more as Germany twice came from behind to beat Switzerland 4-3, in entertaining pre- World Cup friendlies on Friday.

In other games, Ben White scored on his recall to the England side and then gave away a penalty in stoppage time as England drew 1-1 with Uruguay, while the Netherlands overcame Norway 2-1 in Amsterdam.

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Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk, right, and Natan Ake celebrate after the international friendly soccer match between the Netherlands and Norway in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk, right, and Natan Ake celebrate after the international friendly soccer match between the Netherlands and Norway in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Switzerland's Breel Embolo, right, scores the second goal for Switzerland against Germany's Jonathan Tah, left, during an international friendly soccer match between Switzerland and Germany in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, March 27, 2026. (Claudio Thoma/Keystone via AP)

Switzerland's Breel Embolo, right, scores the second goal for Switzerland against Germany's Jonathan Tah, left, during an international friendly soccer match between Switzerland and Germany in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, March 27, 2026. (Claudio Thoma/Keystone via AP)

Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Serbia in Villarreal, Spain, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Serbia in Villarreal, Spain, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

England's Ben White, left, scores his side's opening goal during the international friendly soccer match between England and Uruguay in London, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

England's Ben White, left, scores his side's opening goal during the international friendly soccer match between England and Uruguay in London, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Switzerland's goalkeeper Gregor Kobel watches the ball go into the net for Germany's fourth goal during an international friendly soccer match between Switzerland and Germany in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, March 27, 2026. (Claudio Thoma/Keystone via AP)

Switzerland's goalkeeper Gregor Kobel watches the ball go into the net for Germany's fourth goal during an international friendly soccer match between Switzerland and Germany in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, March 27, 2026. (Claudio Thoma/Keystone via AP)

White was a controversial selection by England coach Thomas Tuchel, four years after walking out on his teammates in the middle of the last World Cup.

The Arsenal defender replaced Fikayo Tomori with 21 minutes left in a dull match on Friday and his appearance was greeted with some boos from the 80,000 fans present at Wembley.

“He needs to take it on the chin," Tuchel said. "We will always protect him and hopefully we can put it behind (us) because he is ready to write some new chapters and we are ready to give him the chance, so hopefully everyone can move on and accept it.”

However, White was in the right place at the right time 10 minutes from time to give England the lead after Cole Palmer's corner was flicked on and White poked the ball in at the far post for what will surely be one of the easiest goals of his career.

Uruguay did not have a shot on goal and that looked like being the winner, only for White to clip Federico Viñas in the box as the clock ticked past 90 minutes.

The referee pointed to the spot after a video review and Federico Valverde converted for Uruguay to leave the scores level.

It was the first goal that England has conceded in seven games and the decision left the coach and players furious, with Tuchel declaring it “not a penalty.”

Harry Maguire shared that opinion and was even more upset about the referee’s lack of action in dealing a rash challenge by Ronaldo Araujo on Phil Foden.

Maguire told broadcaster ITV, “You don’t see tackles like that and not get red cards.”

In Basel, Germany won for the sixth time in a row thanks largely to the brilliance of Liverpool’s Wirtz.

Germany looked shaky at the back and went behind in the 17th minute when Dan Ndoye cut in from the left and crashed a shot past Oliver Baumann from a tight angle.

Germany leveled nine minutes later when Jonathan Tah headed home Wirtz’s cross from the left but Breel Embolo put Switzerland ahead again in the 41st minute with a diving header after Baumann hesitated to leave his line.

Once again, Wirtz brought Germany back into the game, when, on the stroke of halftime, his flighted pass carved open the Swiss defense and allowed Serge Gnabry to lift the ball over 'keeper Gregor Kobel.

Wirtz then gave Germany a 3-2 lead 11 minutes into the second half with the best goal of the night, his stunning right-foot shot from full 30 meters sailing over Kobel into the top corner of the net.

Joel Monteiro equalized for the home side 10 minutes from time with a rifled shot that gave Baumann no chance but Wirtz made it 4-3 with another superb shot from the 18-yard line six minutes from the end.

The result ended Switzerland's 10-match unbeaten run.

In Villarreal, Oyarzabal was the star man for Spain in its hastily arranged game against Serbia.

The match was set up at short notice after Spain’s proposed game with Argentina in Doha fell through due to war in the Middle East and the home side showed just why it is one of the favorites to win a second World Cup title this summer.

Oyarzabal got his first goal with 16 minutes gone, hammering home after Alex Baena’s smart dummy from Fermín López's pass gave him time and space on the edge of the Serbian box.

His second, a minute before halftime, was an unstoppable left-foot shot from almost 25 meters out.

The goals take his international tally to 26 in 53 internationals and extend his superb scoring streak. The Real Sociedad striker has scored 11 times in his last 10 games for Spain.

Oyarzabal was withdrawn after 63 minutes as Spain gave a debut to Osasuna winger Víctor Muñoz but there was no letup for the Serbs. Muñoz capped a happy night with a goal nine minutes later, taking a lovely back-heeled pass from Ferran Torres and stroking the ball home to make it 3-0.

In Amsterdam, Norway rested its record scorer Erling Haaland but took the lead after 25 minutes thanks to a curling shot from Andreas Schjelderup.

Virgil van Dijk leveled 10 minutes later when he powered home a header from a corner and Tijjani Reijnders gave the home side the win when he crashed home from close range five minutes into the second half.

The win extended the Netherlands' unbeaten run to nine games. The last time Ronald Koeman’s men were beaten was by Spain in a Nations League game a year ago.

In other matches, Algeria, which is pitted against Austria, Jordan and reigning world champion Argentina at the World Cup, beat Guatemala 7-0 in Genoa, and Egypt beat Saudi Arabia 4-0.

Morocco, which drew 1-1 with Ecuador, went behind early in the second half to a goal from John Yeboah but Neil El Aynaoui’s goal two minutes from time ensured a share of the spoils.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk, right, and Natan Ake celebrate after the international friendly soccer match between the Netherlands and Norway in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk, right, and Natan Ake celebrate after the international friendly soccer match between the Netherlands and Norway in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Switzerland's Breel Embolo, right, scores the second goal for Switzerland against Germany's Jonathan Tah, left, during an international friendly soccer match between Switzerland and Germany in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, March 27, 2026. (Claudio Thoma/Keystone via AP)

Switzerland's Breel Embolo, right, scores the second goal for Switzerland against Germany's Jonathan Tah, left, during an international friendly soccer match between Switzerland and Germany in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, March 27, 2026. (Claudio Thoma/Keystone via AP)

Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Serbia in Villarreal, Spain, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Serbia in Villarreal, Spain, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

England's Ben White, left, scores his side's opening goal during the international friendly soccer match between England and Uruguay in London, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

England's Ben White, left, scores his side's opening goal during the international friendly soccer match between England and Uruguay in London, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Switzerland's goalkeeper Gregor Kobel watches the ball go into the net for Germany's fourth goal during an international friendly soccer match between Switzerland and Germany in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, March 27, 2026. (Claudio Thoma/Keystone via AP)

Switzerland's goalkeeper Gregor Kobel watches the ball go into the net for Germany's fourth goal during an international friendly soccer match between Switzerland and Germany in Basel, Switzerland, Friday, March 27, 2026. (Claudio Thoma/Keystone via AP)

JUPITER ISLAND, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods' arrest Friday for a car crash in Florida was at least the fourth auto-related incident involving the golfer and the second in which he was charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Woods showed signs of impairment and was arrested at the scene of the crash in which he struck another vehicle and rolled his Land Rover not far from his home on Jupiter Island, authorities said. He did a Breathalyzer test, which came out negative, but refused to take a urine test. Neither Woods nor the person in the other vehicle were injured, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said.

Woods was charged Friday with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, both misdemeanors.

Here's a look at his other crashes over the past couple decades.

Woods was charged with driving under the influence in 2017 when south Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of his car with the engine running. It was parked in a traffic lane and had damage to the driver’s side.

Woods said he had taken a mix of prescription painkillers and had a bad reaction.

He pleaded guilty to reckless driving in 2017 and agreed to complete a first-time DUI offender program to stay out of jail. He received a year of probation, a small fine and community service.

In February 2021, Woods survived a rollover crash in which his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles County at a high speed, leading to multiple leg and ankle injuries.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Woods was driving between 84 and 87 miles per hour (135 to 140 kilometers per hour) on a winding road with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour (72 kilometers per hour) when he crashed. No charges were filed.

Doctors said Woods shattered the tibia and fibula bones of his lower right leg in multiple locations. Those injuries were stabilized with a rod in the tibia. Additional injuries to the bones in the foot and ankle required screws and pins.

Woods spent three months immobilized — a makeshift hospital bed was set up in his Florida home — before he could start moving around on crutches and eventually walk on his own. He said the idea of amputating his right leg “was on the table.”

He did not play on the PGA Tour that year but returned to the Masters in 2022.

Woods ran out of his home in Orlando, Florida, on Nov. 27, 2009, and drove his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant and a tree in his neighbor’s yard about 2:30 a.m., authorities said.

That came two days after the National Enquirer published a story alleging Woods had been seeing a New York nightclub hostess, and that they recently were together in Melbourne. The Windermere police chief at the time said officers found Woods lying in the street with his then-wife, Elin Nordegren, hovering over him.

The chief said Nordegren told officers she was in the house when she heard the crash and “came out and broke the back window with a golf club." Woods had lacerations to his upper and lower lips, and blood in his mouth.

This photo provided by the Martin County Sheriff's Office shows the overturned vehicle in a rollover crash which involved Tiger Woods in Jupiter Island, Fla., on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

This photo provided by the Martin County Sheriff's Office shows the overturned vehicle in a rollover crash which involved Tiger Woods in Jupiter Island, Fla., on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

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