England warmed up for the World Cup with a win over New Zealand, played in humid conditions at a stadium in Tampa, Florida. It was the captain, Harry Kane, who settled the contest, heading home in the last few moments of the first half to secure the victory for his side.
The goal came from a familiar combination, with Jed Spence picking out Kane to give England their half-time lead. In a game that was always likely to be about preparation rather than spectacle, that single moment proved to be the decisive one.
After the interval, the character of the match changed as England rotated heavily, making 11 substitutions and fielding what was described as a stitched-together team on a patchwork pitch. Dan Byrne might have marked the occasion with his first international goal, but the chance did not bring a reward.
For the players, the evening was about practice rather than perfection. The emphasis fell on building fitness and getting used to the heat and the kind of pitches they will face at the tournament, with the result itself treated as secondary to that wider preparation.
England now have one more opportunity to fine-tune things before the competition begins in earnest. A final warm-up against Costa Rica is to come on Wednesday, giving the management a last chance to tinker with the side.
Attention will then turn to the tournament proper. England open their World Cup against Croatia on the 17th of June, while New Zealand, beaten here, will prepare for their own campaign with a match against Iran on the 15th.