England Player Ratings vs. New Zealand: Grades for Three Lions in 2026 FIFA World Cup Warm-up Victory
Tuchel says Kane is in top shape and will play part of the match as England test recalled strikers Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.
- On Saturday, England defeated New Zealand 1-0 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, with Harry Kane heading in from Djed Spence's cross just before half-time in their first World Cup warm-up match.
- After four days of warm-weather training in West Palm Beach, Tuchel's squad faced the fixture to acclimatize to the hot, humid North American World Cup conditions while managing Kane's fitness across planned summer fixtures.
- Kane, who scored 61 goals for Bayern Munich this season, demonstrated peak conditioning throughout the week, with Tuchel praising him as 'lean, sharp' and 'in the best shape,' while defender John Stones impressed despite managing only 86 minutes of Premier League football since August.
- Tuchel confirmed recalled striker Ollie Watkins as a potential alternative to Kane if needed, while Ivan Toney demonstrated 'brilliant attitude' in training; England's performance showed little drive despite the victory.
- England aims to play 10 fixtures this summer as part of their World Cup campaign, with Champions League finalists Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze expected to join after their club commitments, as New Zealand seeks redemption from a 4-0 defeat to Haiti.
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Clayton News
Rockdale Citizen & Newton CitizenHarry Kane header lifts England past New Zealand in World Cup tune-up
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.
England vs New Zealand recap - Tuchel handed late injury scare after Kane winner
England took on New Zealand in a pre-World Cup friendly in Tampa, Florida, with Thomas Tuchel 's side just about squeezing past their opponents with Thomas Tuchel learning plenty about his side
What we learned from England's limp World Cup warm-up win over New Zealand
Kane’s goal was enough to seal the victory (Picture: Getty) England came through their first World Cup warm-up match unscathed with a 1-0 victory over New Zealand. In the energy-sapping Tampa heat, Thomas Tuchel fielded two different starting XIs in each half with Harry Kane scoring the only goal of the game just before half-time, meeting Djed Spence’s cross with a fine header. With the exception of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Non…
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