England came through their first World Cup warm-up match unscathed with a 1-0 victory over New Zealand.
In the energy-sapping Tampa heat, Thomas Tuchel fielded two different starting XIs in each half with Harry Kane scoring the only goal of the game just before half-time, meeting Djed Spence’s cross with a fine header.
With the exception of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, the Arsenal quartet who will join up with the squad late after their involvement in the Champions League final, the England boss will have got a good look at everyone at his disposal on Saturday evening.
Having already made some huge calls assembling his 26-man squad, Tuchel might have gleaned a little bit more tonight ahead of the Group L opener against Croatia – and who is best equipped to deal with the challenges ahead.
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Rashford sharpest on the night
While his club future is in limbo, Marcus Rashford was perhaps the brightest spark for his country in Florida. The on-loan Barcelona star created England’s best chance of the first-half, tormenting his full-back before picking out Kane with an accurate cross. Even after swapping over to the right, he looked a threat.
Anthony Gordon was also bright in the second period but on tonight’s evidence, the left-wing spot against Croatia will belong to Rashford.
John Stones a Tuchel favourite
The Manchester City defender’s last Premier League starting appearance was back in August and he managed just 86 minutes of top flight football since the turn of the year. But in his press conference announcing the squad last month, Tuchel made it abundantly clear just how much he admires the veteran centre-half.
Marc Guehi’s place in the starting XI is seemingly assured but a pretty faultless 45 minutes against admittedly limited opposition in New Zealand bodes well for Stones having a key role to play in what could be his last World Cup.
Mainoo makes midfield play
Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson have been the settled midfield partnership under Tuchel with Mainoo not making any of Tuchel’s squads until now. For the final qualifiers last autumn, the Manchester United star was frozen out of the team at Old Trafford by Ruben Amorim. Since Michael Carrick’s appointment, he has been reborn, ending the season in sublime form and looking a much more complete midfield player than he did a year ago.
In one moment midway through the first-half, he found himself back just outside his own box helping Djed Spence, sparking a counter with a cheeky backheel moments later. While it might not be enough to force his way into the starting XI, Mainoo looked at home in an England shirt again.
Difficult to tell where England are at as Croatia looms large
The decision to play two different teams in each half ensured everyone got a run out but it was another tame outing with little drive for England. Of course, that is to be expected in a warm-up game a week away from the World Cup, but it has been a long time since they impressed in a game with any competitive edge.
Friendlies at Wembley against Uruguay and Japan in March were against opposition of higher calibre and the performances those nights were disappointing.
Ahead of the game on Saturday, Tuchel suggested England would approach New Zealand with a high-pressing, intense approach – something that seemed a little strange given the extreme conditions facing the players. We saw little of that against New Zealand. A final warm-up game against Costa Rica on Wednesday awaits where a little bit more verve will be expected.