Analysis— 5 min read
Harry Kane headed England to a 1-0 victory over New Zealand in their first World Cup warm-up match at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, showing enough to underline his status as the tournament's focal point even if the performance left room for improvement.
Kane's header in first-half stoppage time was his 79th goal for England and arrived on the back of a 61-goal season for Bayern Munich — a tally that has silenced any lingering questions about whether he can still deliver on the biggest occasions.
England dominated throughout and should have been further ahead. Ollie Watkins dragged a good chance wide, Marcus Rashford and John Stones also spurned opportunities, and the side attempted 14 shots to New Zealand's two in the first half alone.
Tuchel made 11 changes at half-time, handing a debut to 17-year-old Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha — one of four young players invited to join the senior squad for pre-tournament preparation. Jude Bellingham impressed in the second period after coming off the bench.
Roy Keane was direct on commentary afterwards. "If England really believe they can win the World Cup, and they do, Harry Kane is the main man," he said. "He's learned a lot playing for Bayern, but with his experience he doesn't need to be coming back into his own half, especially in the heat."
Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze were all absent having been given rest following Arsenal's Champions League final involvement. They will be available for the Costa Rica friendly on Wednesday before England's tournament opener against Croatia on June 17.