Harry Kane’s header late in the first half lifted England to a 1-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday afternoon in the first of the World Cup contenders’ first two friendlies in Tampa, Florida.
In the second minute of stoppage time in the first half, Kane tapped Djed Spence’s 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 shining on a 91 degree day in Florida, England dominated the match far more than the score indicated. That wasn’t a surprise as this was a match between the fourth-ranked team in the FIFA World Rankings against the lowest-ranked team in this year’s World Cup (85th).
Even while losing the entire starting XI at half-time – the first time the Three Lions used 22 players in a match since 2004 – England defeated New Zealand 23-3, had a 4-1 advantage in shots on target and possessed the ball for 71.7 percent of the match.
Matthew Garbett had New Zealand’s only shot on target, which Jordan Pickford saved in the 27th minute.
England vs New Zealand Player Ratings:
England: Jordan Pickford (6.2/10), Djed Spence (7.8/10), Jarell Quansah (5.5/10), John Stones (6.0/10), Marc Guéhi (6.7/10), Jordan Henderson (7.0/10), Kobbie Mainoo (7.1/10), Morgan Rogers (6.2/10), Marcus Rashford (7.3/10), Ollie Watkins (6.0/10), Harry Kane (7.6/10)
subtitles: James Trafford (6.0/10), Reece James (6.1/10), Tino Livramento (6.2/10), Ezri Konsa (6.0/10), Dan Burn (6.1/10), Nico O’Reilly (6.0/10), Elliott Anderson (7.1/10), Jude Bellingham (7.3/10), Rio Ngumoha (6.3/10), Anthony Gordon (6.1/10), Ivan Toney (5.4/10)
New Zealand: Max Crocombe (7.5/10), Tim Payne (5.9/10), Michael Boxall (6.3/10), Finn Surman (6.1/10), Liberato Cacace (6.5/10), Joe Bell (6.0/10), Marko Stamenić (6.4/10), Sarpreet Singh (6.2/10), Matthew Garbett (6.3/10), Elijah Just (5.8/10), Chris Hout (6.1/10)
subtitles: Alex Rufer (6.0/10), Jesse Randall (5.9/10), Ben Old (6.1/10), Tyler Bindon (6.2/10), Francis de Vries (5.8/10), Kosta Barbarouses (5.7/10), Alex Paulsen (6.0/10), Lachlan Bayliss (5.9/10), Callan Elliot (5.8/10), Callum McCowatt (5.8/10). (5.9/10), Nando Pijnaker (5.8/10)
(With input from agencies)
Published on June 7, 2026
