England 1-0 New Zealand: five talking points from the World Cup warm-up | Jacob Steinberg

England may as well pack their bags and go home if Harry Kane picks up an injury. The captain laboured through Euro 2024, leaving some to wonder if his international career was winding down, but there is no doubting his importance before the World Cup. It had to be Kane calming the nerves as England warmed up with a win over New Zealand in testing conditions in Tampa.

It was slow going for much of the first half – the heat, an uneven surface and a disjointed team selection from Thomas Tuchel were complications – but Kane would not be denied. The striker dropped deep, turning and testing Max Crocombe from long range. He had a header tipped over. Half-time approached and New Zealand, the lowest-ranked side at the World Cup, were holding firm. Yet class told. Djed Spence crossed from the left and Kane was clever, using the pace of the ball to guide a beautiful glancing header past Crocombe.

The 32-year-old is not slowing down. It was Kane’s 79th goal for England. The numbers are astonishing, the output relentless. Kane has no equal in this squad. England toiled when he was missing in March. They need their record goalscorer to stay fit.

It was smart man management from Tuchel to give the captain’s armband to Jude Bellingham when the midfielder came on at half-time. It was a good way to kill any unwanted noise about Bellingham watching from the bench at first. Even so, the 22-year-old cannot be sure that he will start when England open their campaign against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June. There is fierce competition from Morgan Rogers, although the Aston Villa man did not quite take his chance in the No 10 position against New Zealand. Rogers looked anxious to impress and much of what he tried failed to come off.

Although there was one perceptive ball to send Marcus Rashford away, Tuchel wanted to see more. The head coach thought there was too much “freestyling” from England during the first half. He did not like the counterpress, was unhappy with his side’s positional work and felt there were too many shots from long range.

England were short of invention and there was more urgency after Bellingham’s arrival. There was an instant flash of class from the Real Madrid midfielder, a brilliant pass with the outside of his right boot to Anthony Gordon creating a chance. It was an encouraging workout for Bellingham. He demanded the ball, added more bite and will hope to start against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday. England saw what they were missing when they were without Bellingham against Japan and Uruguay in March. Tuchel was smiling when he discussed Bellingham’s performance.

Tuchel was short of options on the right after giving Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke extra time to recover from Arsenal’s appearance in the Champions League final. Unfortunately, England’s adjustment meant a square peg in a round hole, with Ollie Watkins a surprising selection out wide.

Watkins worked hard but he is not a winger. The striker had an early chance, only to scuff wide after being released by Jordan Henderson, and he could not produce a final ball. Rio Ngumoha, one of four teenagers invited to train with the main group this week, was far more exciting after coming on at half-time.

As for the battle on the left, it was a good afternoon for the man who has seen one of his England colleagues complicate his hopes of earning a permanent move to Barcelona. Rashford’s attitude was excellent. The Manchester United forward impressed after joining Barça on loan last summer and he could have sulked after seeing the champions of Spain sign Gordon last week.

It did not go unnoticed when the Football Association’s social media pages featured cheerful images of Rashford and Gordon this week. There is a fascinating edge to their rivalry now that Gordon plays for Barça. Rashford cannot let his head drop, though, and he was dangerous against New Zealand. He ran at the All Whites, produced teasing deliveries, flashed a shot over from 20 yards and was unlucky not to earn an assist after crossing for Kane to head on goal. Gordon, by contrast, was not quite as effective in the second half. He drove down the left but was not as dangerous as Rashford.

It is safe to say that something will have gone badly wrong if England’s starting midfield duo against Croatia is Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo. Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice lead the way, although Tuchel has ways to mix things up. He has full-backs who can invert. He has spoken about using Reece James as a No 6 and he had a look at Nico O’Reilly, who is likely to be first choice at left-back this summer, alongside Anderson in the second half here. Versatility is an asset, while O’Reilly and Anderson offered more control than Henderson and Mainoo.

Tuchel will surely look at New Zealand getting in down the left on a couple of occasions during the first half. There was space behind John Stones. This was the veteran’s sixth appearance in any competition since Christmas and it showed at times. Tuchel, though, will be pleased to get minutes in the defender’s legs. He will perhaps be more worried about New Zealand breaking through the lines during that wobbly opening period. A better side might have punished England.