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Published : 07 Jun 2026, 08:02 PM
Harry Kane's header late in the first half lifted England to a 1-0 win over New Zealand Saturday afternoon in the first of the contender's first two World Cup tune-up friendlies at Tampa, Fla.
In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Kane flicked a Djed Spence cross into the right corner of the net past All Whites goalkeeper Max Crocombe. His 79th career goal for England added to his all-time national lead, while also serving as his 67th goal of the season for club (Bayern Munich) and country.
With the sun beating down on a 91-degree day in Florida, England dominated the match far more than the scoreline indicated. That wasn't a surprise considering this was a matchup of the fourth-ranked team in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings against the lowest-ranked team in this year's World Cup (85th).
Even while subbing off their entire starting 11 at halftime -- the first time the Three Lions used 22 players in a match since 2004 -- England outshot New Zealand 23-3, held a 4-1 edge in shots on goal and possessed the ball for 71.7 percent of the match.
Matthew Garbett had New Zealand's lone shot on goal, which Jordan Pickford saved in the 27th minute.
England, a fourth-place finisher at the 1990 and 2018 World Cups, are seeking their second Cup in history (1966). The Three Lions will contest their final tune-up friendly Wednesday against Costa Rica in Orlando before opening Group L play against Croatia Jun 17 in Arlington, Texas.
New Zealand, which is competing in just its second World Cup since 1982 (2010), turns their attention to their Group G opener against Iran on Jun 15 at Inglewood, Calif.
