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Kane edges England to underwhelming New Zealand victory / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Kane edges England to underwhelming New Zealand victory
Harry Kane's 79th international goal edged England to a 1-0 win over New Zealand as the Three Lions' World Cup preparations got off to an underwhelming start in the Florida heat on Saturday.
Kane flicked in Djed Spence's cross in first half stoppage time as England laboured to victory against a side 81 places below them in the world rankings.
New Zealand were thrashed 4-0 by Haiti on Wednesday but Thomas Tuchel's men found clear-cut chances far harder to come by in their first experience of the brutal conditions Stateside.
Tuchel named two entirely different sides for each half, but there was little to read into his team selection ahead of England's opening game of the World Cup against Croatia on June 10.
Marcus Rashford flashed a good opening wide from the edge of the box.
Kane typically made the breakthrough from an in-swinging cross by Spence, who impressed at left-back.
Ivan Toney replaced Kane among the 11 changes made by Tuchel at the break.
Toney thought he had won a penalty only for New Zealand to be rescued by a marginal offside call against the Al Ahli striker.
England dominated possession but could not add to their lead with the Kiwis happy to keep the score down.
Despite not having won a major tournament for 60 years, England go into the World Cup among the favourites having reached at least the quarter-finals in their last four tournaments.
They also face Ghana and Panama in Group L.
New Zealand will face Iran, Belgium and Egypt in Group G.
E. da Cruz--JDB
