England Hold New Zealand in Florida Warm-Up — Where Are England Playing Today

England Hold New Zealand in Florida Warm-Up — Where Are England Playing Today

England were facing New Zealand in a World Cup 2026 warm-up in Florida, and where are england playing today was answered early by the heat, the drinks break and the pace of the first half. Marcus Rashford kept drifting into the game, with several shots and crosses giving England most of their threat.

Harry Kane came closest to scoring in the 34th minute, when Rashford crossed from the left and the header was tipped over by Max Crocombe. That chance arrived after Jordan Pickford had already been forced into a parry from Garbett’s shot in the 27th minute.

Rashford Drives England Forward

Rashford spent much of the half dropping deep to play forward passes, then turned up at the far end of the move himself. In the 40th minute, he cut in from the left and hit a shot from 25 yards that missed the right-hand post. One minute later, he was wide again from a similar side of the box.

Earlier, at 21 minutes, he had rolled a corner back down the right line for Henderson as England unfurled a training-ground move. That sequence set the tone for a first half in which he was repeatedly the outlet and the creator.

Pickford And Crocombe Respond

England’s control was not total. Garbett drove through the middle at 27 minutes and shot from the edge of the box, forcing Pickford to parry the effort. England answered with a spell that almost produced a goal for Kane, then a second delivery from the right when Rogers crossed and Crocombe claimed at his near post in the 37th minute.

There was also a drinks break in the first half, with both coaches giving tactical instructions in the Florida sun. Spence’s long-range effort went miles wide at 22 minutes, and Mainoo sent another shot from the left-hand edge of the D over the bar at 30 minutes.

Hot Sun, Slower Finish

By 43 minutes, the pace had dropped considerably. Rashford still tried to force the issue, but Bell cleared his 39th-minute corner and Crocombe intercepted a forward ball toward Watkins at 44 minutes. The first half was then extended by three additional minutes.

For England, the half offered more threat than cutting edge. Rashford’s movement kept opening doors, Kane had the best chance, and Pickford was tested once, but the final pass or finish never quite arrived before the break. That is the kind of sharpness England will need to find before the World Cup begins.

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