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% 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 June 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 June 15 at Inglewood, Calif.
–Field Level Media
