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England vs New Zealand recap: Thomas Tuchel handed late injury scare after Harry Kane winner

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Harry Kane #9 of England scores

LIVEUpdated 1 hour ago

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

Harry Kane opened the scoring for England(Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Updated 23:45, 06 Jun 2026

After five days of training in the Florida heat and humidity, England played their first friendly before the World Cup against New Zealand on Saturday.

Harry Kane headed home just before the half-time break. Thomas Tuchel made 11 changes midway through the match, with every player getting a chance to take to the pitch.

Attention will now turn to their final pre-World Cup friendly against Costa Rica, with the Three Lions' tournament opener against Croatia following rapidly after that.

Follow everything here with Mirror Football...


6th Jun23:42 BST

Goodnight!

Thank you all for joining us this evening but that's all we've got time for.

Make sure you stay tuned next week for coverage as the World Cup gets underway.

6th Jun23:31 BST

Tuchel praises second-half performance

Away from concerns over Konsa, Tuchel claimed his side were much better after the break vs New Zealand.

He said: "I was more happy with the second half, we had more hunger, more grit, more desire. We didn't score but second half was better. Harry [Kane] scored only goal in the first half. We lacked discipline in the first half, came out of position and didn't stick to the plan. That slowed our game actually down. To put it into context the last time we were in together was November. It's quite a long time, it's the first game after the season."

6th Jun23:20 BST

Tuchel allays injury fears

Thomas Tuchel has allayed fears that Ezri Konsa has picked up an injury against New Zealand.

Speaking to ITV Sport, he said: "We will get with the time exposed to the heat. That's why we are here. The most positive thing is we can keep training with the whole group because no one is injured."

Ezri Konsa

Ezri Konsa was a late concern for England vs New Zealand(Image: Getty Images)

6th Jun23:11 BST

Kane slams pitch in Tampa

Harry Kane has complained about the quality of the pitch in Tampa following England's win against New Zealand.

Speaking to ITV Sport, he said: "A good win, not easy. The heat itself is what we're here for. The pitch wasn't great to be honest to play the way we want to play.

"We take the win and we know for here for preparation and not the result."

Asked how he feels heading into the World Cup, the Bayern Munich striker added: "It's the best shape I've been in in my career. I'm excited for it and can't wait to get started."

6th Jun22:57 BST

Full-time! England win 1-0

And that brings everything to an end in Florida.

England win 1-0 thaks to Harry Kane's goal just before the break.

And every player looks to have come through unscathed - even Konsa. The Aston Villa man is moving a lot more easily now.

6th Jun22:55 BST

Into stoppage time now

And four minutes stoppage time has been signalled by the referee.

And worryingly, Ezri Konsa has gone to ground and looks like he's picked up a knock.

6th Jun22:50 BST

Kane the difference for England

As ever, Harry Kane looks like being the matchwinner for England.

How crucial do you think he's going to be at the World Cup?

Harry Kane

Harry Kane extended his stunning form against New Zealand(Image: Getty Images)

6th Jun22:39 BST

Tuchel sends Bellingham message

Anyone who thinks Jude Bellingham should not start...

Sorry, but this was cast iron proof that Bellingham must start England's World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17.

Bellingham came on at half time, got the biggest cheer and was comfortably the best player on the pitch after the 11 changes.

He was also given the armband.

That was surely a message from Thomas Tuchel.

And Bellingham is a class apart.

6th Jun22:33 BST

VAR confusion in Tampa

The VAR check was very understated and difficult to understand.

Just up on the screen.

No announcement. It was clearly to check whether it was offside.

But that was worse than being in a Premier League stadium... the info was pretty non-existent.

6th Jun22:32 BST

Second water break pauses game

And just minutes after that VAR check, the game is brought to a slight pause once more with the second water break of the evening.

Every player heads over to the dugouts, with Tuchel stepping onto the pitch to give a few instructions.

6th Jun22:25 BST

VAR take a look

VAR take a brief look at the incident and decide that Toney was indeed offside in the move.

It was tight but probably the correct call.

6th Jun22:24 BST

No penalty!

Just as I say that, England think they have been awarded a penalty as Ivan Toney goes down under a challenge.

The referee immediately points to the spot but then gives an offside.

6th Jun22:23 BST

Tuchel all smiles

It's not been a classic second-half so far but I reckon Thomas Tuchel has been given plenty of food for thought.

Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel during England's friendly with New Zealand(Image: Getty Images)

6th Jun22:09 BST

Keane praises England defence

Speaking at half-time, Roy Keane claimed today's friendly has given England's defence a good opportunity to ease their way into action.

He said: "New Zealand are struggling with quality, they have shown moments of bravery, they are playing with a bit of spirit. These are good little moments from England, running back to their own goal. A good test for the England defence."

6th Jun22:07 BST

England XI for second half

The England players are back on the pitch for the second-half. Here's the side that Tuchel has sent out:

Trafford; James, Konsa, Burn, Livramento, Bellingham, Anderson, O'Reilly, Gordon, Toney, Ngumoha.

6th Jun22:01 BST

England ahead, just

It wasn't a vintage performance from England in Tampa but they're ahead.

The Three Lions generated a few opportunities, which was a promising sign. But they did look slightly vulnerable on the counter attack.

We're expecting the entire XI to be changed at the break so it could be a very different display from now.

6th Jun21:53 BST

Kane's importance underlined before the break

Harry Kane's header gave England a half time lead.

It was in first half injury time - and immediately had "Football's Coming Home" playing over the stadium speakers when they cut to the break.

What can we learn?

That England are so reliant on Kane.

6th Jun21:50 BST

Goal Harry Kane! England 1-0 New Zealand

With just a minute to go in the first-half, Harry Kane gives England the lead in Tampa.

Spence is given acres of space down the left, he cuts in onto his right foot and whips the ball in.

Kane has escaped his marker and flicks a header into the far post. 1-0 England!

6th Jun21:37 BST

Big save from Kane's header!

That should really be 1-0!

Rashford shows great skill down the left as he teases his defender and tees up a brilliant cross for Kane.

The striker gets his header on target but the goalkeeper reacts to tip it over the crossbar.

6th Jun21:32 BST

Mainoo... over!

That's another good move from England.

Spence breaks down the left and lays the ball to Kane. The Bayern Munich star tees up Mainoo but he can only fire the ball high over the bar.

6th Jun21:25 BST

Drinks breaks pauses play

And here's the first drinks break of the game. The referee brings things to a pause in the 23rd minute.

The players head over to the dugouts for drinks and cold towels, while music is played over the PA system.

England fans, you better get used to this one - they're going to be seen at the World Cup a lot.

6th Jun21:23 BST

Full-backs an issue for England

This already feels more like a training exercise than a proper match.

What can we learn?

That both full backs - Jarell Quansah and Djed Spence - do not look very comfortable and have been exposed.

Jordan Henderson has looked sharp, has picked his passes and done well.

Ollie Watkins is no right winger.

Harry Kane looks sharp.

Morgan Rogers is playing advanced, almost up with Kane at times.

6th Jun21:22 BST

England continue to go close

England have gone close on a number of occasions over the past few minutes.

Kane had a powerful effort pawed away, while Watkins and Mainoo have also had opportunities to open the scoring.

As it is, it's still 0-0 in Tampa.

6th Jun21:19 BST

England looking slightly different

There's a slight unfamiliar feel to this England squad this evening, it's fair to say.

England players(Image: Getty Images)

England

England ahead of their clash with New Zealand(Image: Getty Images)

6th Jun21:16 BST

Watkins should do better

And ther'es another brilliant opportunity for England.

Ollie Watkins latches onto a long ball and is one-on-one with the keeper but hammers his effort wide.

6th Jun21:14 BST

New Zealand start to threaten

That was better from New Zealand as Wood's ball releases Luke Garbutt.

He doesn't have much in front of him but instead tries to cross with no one waiting. The ball makes its way to Singh but he lashes it into the side-netting.

6th Jun21:11 BST

Header flicked away

Another good chance there as Henderson's cross into the box is deflected behind.

England have a corner which makes its way to John Stones, who is unmarked. But he can't get his header on target.

New Zealand just about scramble it away.

6th Jun21:07 BST

First chance for England

That's the first opportunity for the Three Lions as the ball falls to Henderson on the edge of the area.

The Brentford man tries his luck but has a powerful effort blocked away.

Some good early intent from England here.

6th Jun21:02 BST

Kick-off between England and New Zealand

Away we go in Tampa...

Make sure you stay tuned for live updates as England aim to see off New Zealand in their first warm-up game for the World Cup.

6th Jun20:56 BST

Ian Wright slams pitch

There are major concerns over the state of the pitch in Florida - and Ian Write shares those worries.

He said: “I’m not sure, for this calibre of player at this stage of a World Cup. We’re going into the start of the World Cup. It looks very uneven and very dry. I worry about it. Everyone is saying it’s going to be playable, but I’m worried about it because of how uneven it looks and raised. You hope it’s going to be alright. They’ve tried to water it, but it doesn’t look like it’s taken it very well.”


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