Lacklustre warm-up victory proved one thing: England are the Harry Kane team

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Harry Kane (right) celebrates scoring in England’s red kit, which they will wear against Panama in the World Cup group stage - Bradley Collyer/PA

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As promised Thomas Tuchel used 22 players in England’s first World Cup warm-up in Florida. But they remain dependent on the one: Harry Kane. They are, whatever the personnel and permutations, the Harry Kane team.

Against New Zealand the England captain made the late first-half breakthrough with the cleverest of headers to claim his 79th goal for his country – in 113 games – and burst into the top 10 on the all-time list of international goalscorers.

HAD TO BE HIM

"And finally England's American adventure starts, and of course it's starts with a Harry Kane goal"

England enter the break ahead against the All Whites - pic.twitter.com/b7jPSmPdXa

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 6, 2026

In doing so Kane drew level with Brazil’s Neymar, who achieved the total in 128 appearances (and Zambia’s Godfrey Chitalu). He is five goals behind the legendary Ferenc Puskas. Despite that landmark this was the most lacking of lustre performances.

Never mind concerns about the pitch, which became trickier as it dried out in the heat after a pre-match soaking. What about concerns about the England team? At the home of the Glazer family’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL team they were far from buccaneering.

Is that expecting too much? Probably and certainly too much can be read into such fixtures: glorified training matches rather than full friendlies and certainly not intense World Cup ties. But, equally, how you go into these tournaments, and the momentum you show, matter.

As recently as Euro 2024, England arrived on the back of a poor 1-0 defeat to Iceland at Wembley and while they made the final it set the tone for a grim campaign. Famously, before the World Cup in 2010 they laboured against the semi-professional South African side Platinum All-Stars. And we saw how that unfolded. Similarly in 2014, back here in Florida, it was far from good in bore draws against Ecuador and Honduras. And England fared even worse.

At least they were more credible opposition than New Zealand who were beaten 4-0 by Haiti, the third lowest ranked nation at the World Cup, in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday. While England dominated, their opponents were not over-run.

One-nil against New Zealand is, frankly, quite an embarrassing result even with all the changes. England did not inspire. England did not excite. So they surely must buck up their ideas when they face Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday when the squad will be at full-strength with the Arsenal players integrated.

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11:22pm

Thomas Tuchel speaks to ITV Sport​

First of all I am happy that no one is injured and we had four good training sessions and this split game with 45 minutes for everyone in this heat.

It was not easy but everyone is fit and we have a win and a clean sheet. From there we can keep going. The energy is right and the quality will come. The better the opponent gets, the better we will get.

I was more happy with the second half. I thought we had more hunger and more desire. We played better but did not score.

We didn’t play according to our plan in the first half and it slowed the game down but it was better in the second half. Overall, to put it into context a lot of the players were last with us in November. They missed March so it was quite a long time.

I liked the second half and Harry scored but it’s not about individual praises in front of the TV.

We were exposed to the heat and humidity that’s why we are here. Tomorrow will be recovery then we have two days to prepare for Costa Rica with everybody fit. The Arsenal players are here tonight which brings us energy and quality. Then we have one and a half days off and we go to Kansas to prepare for Croatia.

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11:15pm

Jude Bellingham speaks to ITV Sport​

We’re going to have to manage the game well. High-tempo football is going to be difficult with the heat but we adjusted well in both halves. We’re pleased.

I’m excited it’s a good mix of experience with the captain, Pickers and Hendo, and youthfulness. We can go a long way.

I’m feeling good off the back of a tough season after a couple of injuries. I feel better than I did earlier in the season.

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11:11pm

Harry Kane speaks to ITV Sport​

Good win, it’s not easy. The heat is what we’re here for. The pitch wasn’t great to play the way we want to play. We had to adapt to it against a team who play the low block. We could have maybe scored one or two more. We take the win. We’re here for preparation more than the result

Physically, mentally it’s the best shape I’ve been in in my career. It’s a tough environment, tough conditions but I’m excited to be here.

We appreciate all the support, knowing how much it costs. We want to say thank you to them and know we’ll get great support throughout and hope we can repay them ell.

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10:59pmVideo

Full time: England 1 NZ 0​

A couple of positive dribbles from the vibrant Ngumoha bring proceedings to a close. He’s done very well on debut. England will be pleased with the tune-up but were it not for occupational duty, I’d rather have been down the pub.

No injuries and 45 minutes each under their belts in heat on the field that touched 36C.

Rio Ngumoha out here torturing defenders pic.twitter.com/IbGmbStru8

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 6, 2026

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10:57pm

90+4 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Ngumoha sends James down the right on an underlapping run but his cut-back is too broadly angled and behind Bellingham.

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10:56pm

90+3 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Toney misses a chance at the back post from Bellingham’s curling cross from the right but he was offside anyway.

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10:54pm

90+2 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Konsa goes down after being clipped but he seems OK.

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10:54pm

90 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Four minutes of stoppage time are signalled as the England fans segue from the theme from the Great Escape to the national anthem.

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10:51pm

87 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Bayliss trips Ngumoha just inside the NZ half after the winger had twisted his blood with a spin and a roulette-wheel flick.

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10:50pm

87 min: England 1 NZ 0​

England work the ball forward quickly down the left to Gordon who cuts infield across Bindon and smacks a right-foot shot from 20 yards that stings the sub keeper’s palms.

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10:48pm

85 min: England 1 NZ 0​

NZ make five more substitutions, including the goalkeeper Paulsen.

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10:47pmVideo

84 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Bellingham blazes over after getting the ball back. He had tried to put Nico O’Reilly in on the left of the box with a lovely drag back to get away from his man but O’Reilly couldn’t control it and has to work it back to the 18-yard line. Bellingham jinks, looking for a ***** of an opening to shoot through and eventually decides he has to let fly but launches it way too high.

Class footwork from Jude Bellingham pic.twitter.com/szHFadZ8c2

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 6, 2026

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10:44pm

81 min: England 1 NZ 0​

NZ have their first corner and De Vries bends it under the crossbar. Menacing delivery comes to naught because of a shove on Trafford.

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10:42pm

Where does Kane stand among international goalscorers?​

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10:41pm

79 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Toney takes it quickly and works it across the park to Ngumoha who whips his cross beyond Toney, beyond the back post and out for a goal-kick.

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10:40pm

77 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Anthony Gordon has yet to show any of the sharpness that seduced Barcelona.

On the other wing Ngumoha earns England’s seventh corner with his more direct running.

Burn’s header from the corner is deflected behind for another.

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10:38pm

75 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Gordon of Barcelona skitters down the left and then seems to lose the ball to Bindon who gives it back to him. He accepts the invitation and beats another man and pulls a pass back to Toney who tees up Bellingham. His daisycutter of a shot hits a defender’s foot and bounces safe.

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10:36pm

72 min: England 1 NZ 0​

England are happy to stroke the ball around for a spell. The heat is making it quite soporific and yet England are the one side capable of injecting some urgency when Anderson is on the ball.

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10:34pm

70 min: England 1 NZ 0​

England’s first-half possession stats were 59-41. Now it’s 71-29.

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10:32pm

67 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Enterprising probing from England with Ngumoha to the fore, working patiently to create an opportunity for Anderson to shoot but he flays his 20-yard effort at Toney, hitting him on the arm. The ref gives a free-kick to NZ and blows for a water break.

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10:28pm

64 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Anderson makes a lovely pass to Ngumoha who has feigned to go outside then darted inside off the left-back’s shoulder. The Liverpool prodigy takes the ball in his stride then tries to roll it down the outside of Surman for Toney but overcooks it and Crocombe come sout to smother.

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Tuchel has made Jude Bellingham captain for the second half - NATHAN RAY SEEBECK/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

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Jude Bellingham has been given the captain’s armband for the second half. That is quite a statement from Thomas Tuchel. The Real Madrid midfielder has by far the most England caps out there.

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10:25pm

VAR check over​

No penalty. Toney was offside (and wasn’t fouled anyway).

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10:24pm

62 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Randall, Bindon and Old are ready to come on for NZ while we wait for the VAR check.

Off go Garbett, Payne and Cacace

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10:23pm

61 min: England 1 NZ 0​

The referee signals a penalty for a push on Toney but then notices an offside flag. It will be checked. Didn’t look like a foul.

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10:21pm

59 min: England 1 NZ 0​

James takes it and pumps it straight into the midriff of Stamenic in the wall.

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10:21pm

57 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Garbett rolls Toney as the striker tried to turn on to the ball and is harshly penalised. England have a free-kick, 20 yards out, left of centre.

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10:20pm

55 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Free-kick for England on the right for a foul on Anderson. James crosses it into the box from the right but Burn is penalised for a shove before the ball comes to earth.

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Harry Kane’s strike took him to 79 goals, putting him in the top 10 of international goalscorers level with Neymar. It is an incredible record from the England captain.

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10:17pm

53 min: England 1 NZ 0​

All England now in and around the box with the lively Ngumoha to the fore. Again he deploys the stepover to work the room for a shot with his left from the right that cannons off Surman. Moments later he has a go at a cross that just eludes Toney.

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10:16pm

51 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Bellingham plays a pass with the outside of his right foot down the left channel. Gordon takes it in his stride and tries to stab it across to Toney but nocks it into Payne giving him a second bite from the rebound. This time he cuts it back with his left but just behind Toney who had peeled off to the near post.

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10:13pm

49 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Strange corner that dips too soon and then kicks up. O”Reilly slices a left-foot shot straight up and, as Crocombe flaps at it, Burn heads it wide from five yards.

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10:12pm

47 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Ngumoha executes a step-over and drives in from the right then works the ball across the field via Bellingham to Gordon whose left-foot cross is blocked and goes behind for a corner.

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10:09pm

46 min: England 1 NZ 0​

Konsa brings the ball out of defence and passes to O’Reilly in midfield. I think New Zealand have made only one change. Alex Rufer seems to be on.

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10:05pm

England starting XI for the second half​

Trafford; James, Konsa, Burn, Livramento; Anderson, O’Reilly; Ngumoha, Bellingham, Gordon; Toney.

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09:53pm

Half-time: England 1 NZ 0​

A couple of counters apart, England have been comfortably in control and now have a goal to reflect their dominance. It hasn’t been pretty but it’s a work in progress and there have been some eye-catching contributions from Spence and Rashford in particular. It’s all about the work-out at this stage.

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09:49pmVideo • Goals • Key moments

GOAL!​

England 1 NZ 0 (Kane) Guéhi sweeps a pass down the left to Spence who feints to go down the line then stops and goes back the other way. Garbett stands there like a statue and lets him whip a near-post cross with his right foot that Kane, making a diagonal run to the right of the penalty spot, glances in. It’s his 79th goal for England and right on the stroke of half-time.

HAD TO BE HIM

"And finally England's American adventure starts, and of course it's starts with a Harry Kane goal"

England enter the break ahead against the All Whites - pic.twitter.com/b7jPSmPdXa

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 6, 2026

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09:48pm

45 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Just dinks a cross from the left, diagonally, looking for Wood to stride on to and shoot but Guéhi tracks him all the way and the ball skips off the grass and out for a goalkick before either can get there.

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Max Crocombe, the New Zealand goalkeeper, was asking the referee whether he should take a goalkick as the clock ticked past 45 minutes. But fourth official Alex Billeter has raised her board to show three minutes stoppage-time in this heat.

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09:46pm

44 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Crocombe comes off his line to catch Rashford’s cross which, without his intervention, was arrowing towards Rogers’ forehead.

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09:45pm

42 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Rashford has another pop from the left of the 18 yard line, this time thumping a shot over the bar. He cut his ball across it, hoping for dip and whip but only managed to impart whip. No dip, no glory. He has cut in off that wing to shoot so many times this half he must have been watching clips of prime Thierry Henry.

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09:43pm

40 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Rashford dribbles in from the left wing, opens his body and whips a shot/cross towards the back post that needed only Kane’s eyebrows to go in. But Kane can’t get there as hard as he tries to extend his neck.

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09:41pm

38 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Now Rogers gets in behind Cacace down the right and whistles over a cross from the byline that Crocombe claims at the second attempt. It wasn’t a great cross but the fumble almost made it into an effective one.

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09:39pm

36 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Rashford fires the corner through the six-yard box but no one had made the run and Cacace, in any case, is adamant he was pushed.

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09:38pm

33 min: England 0 NZ 0​

And here he is in a centre-forward’s position when Rashford, England’s best player so far, runs at Payne, stops then bursts towards the byline with an explosive sprint that leaves the right-back in his vapour trail. The Barcelona loan man then stands up a back-post cross with his left and Kane meets it six yards out with a booming header that Crocombe claws over.

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Marcus Rashford has been England’s best player this half so far - Bradley Collyer/PA

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09:35pm

31 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Watkins roasts Cacace down the right, storming past the Wrexham left-back. He picks up his head and squares it, looking for Rashford but Crocombe anticipates it well and dives head-first to catch it. Kane was off in a deep position again. He has scored 66 goals this season doing that but sometimes in this team you do wish he would just play as a nine.

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09:33pmVideo

29 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Spence uses his pace to sly down the left leaving Payne gasping. He makes it to the byline, feeds a pass to Rashford who lays it back to Mainoo. Once again there’s a bobble off the grass that means his first-time shot, bent with his right instep, soars over the bar.

Kobbie Mainoo has a crack at goal, but he shoots wide

When will this stalemate end? pic.twitter.com/MuxbcnWyhx

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 6, 2026

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It was more cold towels than high-tech during the hydration break. Thomas Tuchel got his message across the old fashioned way – the team talk, rather than iPads.

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09:30pm

26 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Spence is wearing a jaw protector after copping a blow in training. NZ fashion a shooting chance for Garbett who lines up Stones and then curls a shot round him with his right foot from 25 yards. It has more sting than it seemed and Pickford has to dive to his left to push it away. New Zealand try to pen England in deep but a cheeky Mainoo backheel springs the lock and England motor upfield.

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09:26pm

24 min: England 0 NZ 0​

England are taking on water and using towels but no ice jackets, palm coolers or, indeed, ITV adverts, yet.

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09:23pm

21 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Rashford takes a corner short to Henderson who sprays it to Spence on the edge of the box but he rifles his hot into human traffic. Moments later the left-back has amother crack from 25 yards and spoons it miles over the bar.

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That was another set-piece from the Anthony Barry playbook. Tuchel’s assistant is on dead-ball duty and this corner was dragged bag to the near post and flicked to the edge of the area for a shot. Clearly rehearsed – but not enough room for a clear chance.

First hydration break.

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09:23pm

19 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Rogers drives through the centre of the field and slips a pass to Rashford who cuts in on to his right to thump a shot that balloons up into the box off a defender. Surman does very well to stop him having another effort when the ball veers towards the left post off another deflection.

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09:21pmVideo

17 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Kane spins on to Rashford’s pass 22 yards out and smashes a shot straight at Crocombe who makes a Hollywood save of a fairly routine catch, diving to his left to parry it out of the box. All he needed to do was take a step to his left and catch it.

Kobbie Mainoo has a crack at goal, but he shoots wide

When will this stalemate end? pic.twitter.com/MuxbcnWyhx

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 6, 2026

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09:18pm

15 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Rogers decides to have a dig but the ball kicks up off a divot moments before he connected which means he ends uo shanking it.

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09:17pm

13 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Chance for Watkins cutting in off the right having made a clever run on to a long pass. He makes a hash of his shot, dragging it miles wide of the far post.

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England have gone back to the “love train” of the Gareth Southgate era for attacking corners. They had five players in a row as Marcus Rashford swung the ball over – and John Stones had his effort cleared off the line as a result. Not going for the Premier League trend of packing the six-yard area with as many players as possible.

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09:15pm

11 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Two New Zealand breaks surprise England, both spearheaded by Wood. The first is a solo counter and while he waits for reinforcements after striding down the inside-left he is tackled by Guéhi. A minute later he is probing down the inside right and plays a cute pass to sent Garbett in between Spence and Guéhi but he bottles the shot and squares it instead, allowing England to flood back and Just flaps his shot wide when closed down.

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Just eight minutes in and Marcus Rashford is wiping the sweat off his forehead with his shirt as he prepares to take a corner. The temperature is 33C but will be a good five degrees hotter on the pitch.

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09:12pm

8 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Rashford looks electric and has another corner which he plonks straight on to Stones’ head eight yards out. It’s a free header and he should have scored but he diverts it straight into a defender’s ribs.

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Eli Just gets away from Jarell Quansah - Richard Pelham/Getty Images

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09:09pm

6 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Nice break from the sylph-like Just as the Fir Park prince darts down the left, running in behind Quansah and squaring it to… the Invisible Man. No support at all from Wood or Singh. They should have gone with him.

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The bounce is a little uneven here at Raymond James Stadium. Players are definitely getting used to it.

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09:07pmVideo

4 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Rashford, who has a new haircut, glides down the left and crosses. It is headed back in his vicinity and he does well to anticipate it before Payne. He cushions it deftly, dribbles infield and pulls it back to Henderson who thumps his shot from 20 yards straight into Boxall.

Jordan Henderson with the first shot at goal for England

What will the final score be against the All Whites? pic.twitter.com/lNQAV3Epn2

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 6, 2026

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09:04pm

2 min: England 0 NZ 0​

Rashford takes the corner and flashes it through the box. England wotk it back to Pickford who lumps a long kick down Crocombe’s throat. He punts it out for an England throw.

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09:03pm

1 min: England 0 NZ 0​

After the national anthems ITV squeezes in four adverts. The shape of things to come. Let’s see what happens during the water breaks. I presume they’ll treat them like they did scrums at the Six Nations and go for the half-screen ad template.

England kick off, attacking from left to right. They have an overload on the right wing and Mainoo rolls it back to the left-footed Pickford who chips a long diagonal up that wing. Cacace does enough in the air to thwart the five-man surge up his wing. Moments later Spence’s long cross from the left scrapes Cacace’s studs as he fails to clear and goes behind for a corner.

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08:57pm

First the national anthems​

Kicking off with New Zealand’s.

A reminder that NZ are the lowest ranked of the 48 teams at this bloated World Cup. They’re 85th. England are No 4.

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08:55pm

The teams are ready to come out of the tunnel​

England are playing in red shirts and navy shorts, a strange combination that makes them look like a but like Spain. Well, if you can’t beat them…

New Zealand are in all white.

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08:46pm

A word with Thomas Tuchel​

We have decided we will blame the pitch if it doesn’t go well! Jokes apart, New Zealand trained on it last night and said that while it doesn’t look good it is playable. Let’s see.

We had a good training week, a lot in the legs.

It’s 33C but we play one half [per XI] I don’t see why we can’t play with our high press, high tempo, our ball speed, hopefully have a lot of possession because it is always easier to play with the ball than without it.

Ollie starts on the right because Bukayo and Noni are not here.

We have a strong group they will not lose my trust today no matter what happens. There is always the chance to make a good impression.

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08:39pm

Ian Wright has gone (out) early​

'This is EXACTLY what England wanted'

Hot weather, mega humidity and odd-looking pitch, Ian Wright shares his thoughts on what England will have to deal with as they face the All Whites tonight

Watch the match LIVE on ITV1 pic.twitter.com/MLaAd4aZk8

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 6, 2026

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08:37pm

Morgan Rogers speaks to ITV Sport​

It’s a young boy’s dream to be in this position, to represent my country in a World Cup. The excitement gets bigger every day.

It’s hot, as expected. We’ve got a job to do, acclimatise and be in the best possible shape when the time comes. We’re going to have to push ourselves to the limit.

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08:34pm

Pitch update​

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There has been much concern about the state of the pitch, which has been newly laid and heavily watered before the players warmed up. Trey Altman, Tampa Sports Authority facilities manager, has taken to X to defend the surface. “Yes you can still see the seams and I would love for it to be darker green but there are zero concerns about the playability and safety of the field today.”

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08:22pm

Combination watch​

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Thomas Tuchel’s starting line-up here in Florida is neither his first choice or his second-string - but does give a good indicator to some of the partnerships is he trying to build for the World Cup opener in 11 days. John Stones and Marc Guéhi is a centre-back pairing that Tuchel is looking. Morgan Rogers playing behind Harry Kane as No10 was also a combination he used in qualifying.

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08:22pm

Your teams in the trad style​

England Pickford; Quansah, Stones, Guéhi, Spence; Mainoo, J Henderson; Rogers, Watkins, Rashford; Kane.
Substitutes D Henderson, Trafford, Konsa, O’Reilly, Anderson, Bellingham, Livramento, Burn, Gordon, Toney, James, Scott, King, Nwaneri, Ngumoha.

New Zealand Crocombe; Payne, Boxall, Surman, Cacace; Garbett, Bell, Stamenic; Singh, Wood, Just.
Substitutes Paulsen, Woud, De Vries, Bindon, Rufer, Pijnaker, Barbarouses, Waine, Old, McCowatt, Randall, Elliot, Bayliss, Smith.

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08:18pm

World Cup racket update​

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One England fan has reported having their water bottle taken off them by security as they entered the stadium. The cost of a water here is $7.50, which is around £5.60.

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08:16pm

Tuchel ‘worried’ about pitch for England warm-up match​

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Thomas Tuchel is “worried” about the state of the pitch for England’s World Cup warm-up on Saturday.

Tuchel’s side play New Zealand at the Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL team, where concerts for music stars such as Post Malone and Jelly Roll are scheduled for the next month.

After seeing a photo of the surface at the stadium, Tuchel said: “That made me a little bit worried. Let’s decide when we are there. We can always react to it.”

The pitch England will have to play on in Tampa pic.twitter.com/H54INhswOV

— No Context World Cup (@NoContextEPL) June 5, 2026

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08:12pm

England’s selection​

Watkins may play centrally, too, as well as off the right, dovetailing with Rogers who has had his moments on the wing in John McGinn’s absences for Aston Villa. He has also taken the opportunity to have a look at Jarell Quansah at full-back. I dare say it won’t matter against New Zealand or at all 11 days out from their firts game but, Rashford aside, there’s very little frightening pace in that side.

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08:06pm

Arsenal players inbound​

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Arsenal players will join up with the squad this weekend after being given extra time to rest following the Champions League defeat by Paris St-Germain. Tuchel says he will console Eberechi Eze after he missed a penalty in the shoot-out against the French champions, but said that all of the players arriving should be proud of their Premier League-winning season.

“They’ve absolutely had a great season,” he said. “I’m always happy to do it if I have to but they should know that a final just comes down to one or two shots in a penalty shoot-out which means it cannot be closer. At some point a winner has to be found.

“I have lost some finals in a penalty shoot-out and it’s the closest way to lose and it hurts of course, it hurts a lot to lose big finals but a penalty means you did everything right, it couldn’t be closer. But it also means you were absolutely on the same level with maybe the best team in the world at the moment.

“Of course it’s painful for Ebs but I will take care of it, the group will take care of him and I think the extra week they had will help a lot.

“I’m very happy that they got the title in England. I think that took a lot of weight off their shoulders and they were aware they did what they could and they were very close in the final.”

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08:03pm

Chris Wood captains New Zealand​

Our starting XI to face England

Watch live on TVNZ and FIFA+/DAZN from 8am NZ pic.twitter.com/Z32iyLWMtp

— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) June 6, 2026

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08:02pm

Two up top?​

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Thomas Tuchel has started with Ollie Watkins and Harry Kane in the same team. Two strikers in the same team has been rare during Kane’s era becoming England’s greatest goalscorer.

Tuchel, however, doesn’t intend to tweak his 4-2-3-1 system too much ahead of the World Cup so Watkins could be on the right flank.

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07:59pm

England team news: Watkins and Kane start together​

Your #ThreeLions for the first time this summer! pic.twitter.com/Z1ld5QqLx9

— England (@England) June 6, 2026

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07:53pm

Tuchel goes old school​

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Thomas Tuchel’s staff may use iPads and laptops during the World Cup’s controversial mid-match water breaks, but the England manager will bring out a magnetic whiteboard to give players his tactical messages.

One of the lasting images of Fifa’s new water breaks was United States manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking to his team while huddled around a MacBook as players drank. It has sparked a row over managers using the short “hydration break” for player welfare to their own advantage.

Tuchel has already revealed that he will split games into quarters with his tactics to incorporate the break in play during each 45-minute half, although he is likely to use old-fashioned methods to explain his changes.

“I’m not sure I am good enough with an iPad – maybe with a good old analogue magnetic board and drawing with a marker,” Tuchel said.

“If we have the possibility and visuals that could help in a high press, my assistant coaches will do this. I will do it with a board. It will be easier to explain but we have good visuals and it is allowed, why not?”

The hydration breaks are part of countries dealing with the intense heat of the World Cup, with England also planning to use palm-cooling devices during the stoppages to keep players’ temperatures down.

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07:48pm

A team for each half​

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Thomas Tuchel will play two separate teams here as he looks to find the right combinations for the World Cup and give as many players time on the pitch as possible. He was concerned about the “drop and play pitch” and observers down by the grass says it is expected to bobble. England players are down there at the moment in the searing heat. Jude Bellingham puffed out his cheeks at the conditions. It’s a hot one.

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The Jude Bellingham fan club, Florida branch, is out in force - Eddie Keogh /The FA via Getty Images)

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07:39pm

Once called ‘the white Pelé‘​

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Rodney Marsh is here at the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to receive his England legacy cap, which is given to all former Three Lions to commemorate their international career. Marsh, who is a resident of Tampa now, only won nine caps despite being one of the country’s great entertainers. And also responsible for one of the greatest one-liners in football:

Rodney Marsh presented #England legacy cap tonight v Nine caps (?!), 1goal + greatest️one-liner when Alf Ramsey said 'work hard or I'll pull you off at half-time'

"Christ, at Man City we only get a cup of tea and an orange" (@Baddiel History Podcast)https://t.co/BblZnzXlAQ

— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) June 6, 2026

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06:57pm

Preview: A game of two halves​

Good evening and welcome to love coverage of the first of two England warm-up matches before starting their World Cup campaign against their 2018 semi-final conquerors, Croatia, at the home of the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday June 17. Tonight’s match is a throwback to those tedious friendlies under Sven Goran-Eriksson when unlimited substitutions rendered them ragged and robbed them of any coherence or meaning by the end but at least on this occasion Thomas Tuchel has said he will field two distinct teams rather than instituting a whirl of subs throughout because he wants to test everyone equally in the Florida heat.

England’s opponents are New Zealand, a country they have not faced for 35 years since they beat them twice on tour under Graham Taylor at Auckland and Wellington in 1991. They qualified direct via the Oceania confederation by beating Tahiti, Vanuatu and Samoa at the group stage, Fiji 7-0 in the semi-final and New Caledonia in the final, sending their defeated opponents into a play-off against Jamaica which they lost, making the Kiwis the only representative from the OFC.

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New Zealand qualified direct through the Oceania confederation and are at their first World Cup for 16 years, only their third in total - DAVID ROWLAND/AFP

New Zealand have been drawn in Group G and play Iran in LA on June 15 followed by Egypt and Belgium, both in Vancouver. Chris Wood remains their best player and most familiar face but they also boast Tyler Bindon of the Blades, Millwall’s Max Crocombe, the Posh’s Matthew Garbett, Swansea’s Marko Stamenic, Motherwell’s Elijah Just, Wrexham’s Liberato Cacace and Braintree Town’s Tommy Smith, better known for his three years at Colchester.

This match In Tampa will not be the first time England have warmed up for a World Cup in Florida. Before heading down to Brazil in 2014, Roy Hodgson’s team drew 2-2 with Ecuador and 0-0 with Honduras, one more draw than they managed in their worst World Cup performance since 1950. Their only warm-ups in the host countries also ended in draws – 1-1 with South Korea in Seogwipo and 2-2 with Cameroon in Kobe 24 years ago.

England have a squad of 27 for tonight, the World Cup 26 minus Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Training squad call-ups Josh King, Rio Ngumoha, Ethan Nwaneri, Alex Scott and Jason Steele make up the numbers.

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