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England faced New Zealand in a friendly match on June 6, 2026, as part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game took place in Florida, with England beginning the match confidently, controlling possession significantly in the first 25 minutes. England registered nine shots, although only one was on target, while New Zealand managed only one shot in total.
The pattern of play continued until stoppage time in the first half when Harry Kane, England's captain and all-time leading goalscorer, opened the scoring with a header after a well-placed cross from Djed Spence. Kane’s goal came just before the half-time whistle, allowing England to lead 1-0 at the break. By that time, England had maintained 68% possession and recorded 14 shots, compared to just two from New Zealand.
As the second half commenced, England seeked to maintain their momentum. This match was their final friendly before the tournament begins, with their next game scheduled against Costa Rica on Wednesday. Following the match, reports suggested the team showed a mix of effort but still had areas to improve on before facing tougher opposition in the World Cup.
Fonte: nytimes.com.