TAMPA, Florida — June 6, 2026: England continued its World Cup preparation with a 1–0 win over New Zealand at Raymond James Stadium. The match was not the most explosive performance from England, but captain Harry Kane delivered the difference just before halftime. Kane flicked in a cross from Djed Spence in first-half stoppage time, giving England the lead and eventually the win.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel used the friendly as a chance to rotate heavily, fielding two different lineups across the two halves. The Florida heat and difficult pitch made the match challenging, but England still managed to control long stretches of the game.
New Zealand stayed organized ad made England work for the result, but Kane’s goal was enough to separate the two sides. For England, the victory may not have been flashy, but it gave the squad another important test before the World Cup begins.
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