The World Cup starts later this week, which means all the participating teams are now fully focused on their preparations. For most, that includes one or two warm-up friendlies as well, though it’s unclear what the point of any such games may be when you use 22 players for one half each — it’s not like they’ve lost all match fitness since the end of the season a few weeks ago — especially on a pitch about which you had some concerns.
But hey, I guess that’s what’s expected. And thus, England played
New Zealand at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida yesterday. Thomas Tuchel had expressed some worry about the condition of the pitch prior to the game. Thankfully, everyone has come through unscathed.
Reece James did get the start and played the first-half, leaving with a 1-0 win thanks to Harry Kane, before everyone was subbed off at the half. (Rio Ngumoha was among those coming on, with the former Chelsea prospect making his senior debut at 17!)
Slighlty less low-key was the friendly involving Pedro Neto, with both Portugal and Uruguay having a man sent off in the first half. That little fracas between Rafael Leão and Ivan Román could’ve escalated even further, but cooler heads prevailed.
Portugal would go on to win, 2-1, all goals coming in the second half. Neto played the first half and emerged unscathed.
