The All Whites wrapped up their World Cup preparations with a competitive 1-0 defeat to England in Tampa, Florida, showing defensive resilience against the world’s fourth-ranked side despite failing to find the net.
England captain Harry Kane scored the only goal shortly before halftime, with both teams making extensive changes after the break as they fine-tuned their squads ahead of the tournament.
New Zealand managed just two first-half shots and struggled to create clear chances throughout the match, ending their two warm-up fixtures without a goal. Played in sweltering 33°C conditions with scheduled hydration breaks, the match provided coach Darren Bazeley with a final opportunity to assess player combinations before the All Whites open their World Cup campaign against Iran in Los Angeles on 16 June.
