By Ollie Whitmore, Chief Football Correspondent

Several nations preparing for this month’s World Cup concluded their final warm-up fixtures ahead of next week’s tournament kick-off, with England, Scotland, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, and hosts United States all in action.

This round of international friendlies featured 15 of the 48 teams that will compete in the finals, with only five matches remaining before Mexico and South Africa open the tournament on 11th June.

Harry Kane found the net across the Atlantic, scoring his 67th international goal as England secured a narrow win over New Zealand in a low-profile friendly. Manager Thomas Tuchel opted to use two entirely different lineups in each half to build match fitness across the squad.

Marcus Rashford impressed during his 45-minute appearance and looked the most likely to break the deadlock early. However, it was Kane who ultimately rose highest to head home Djed Spence’s curling cross from the right flank after dropping deep to link play.

Fresh from winning La Liga on loan at Barcelona, Rashford had already flown to the United States to adapt to the conditions before his teammates joined him. The Arsenal quartet of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze were granted a short break following their Champions League final win and Premier League title parade, and are set to link up with the England camp in Kansas City shortly.

Tuchel’s tactical approach suggests he intends to use Kane in a role similar to that employed by Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany, under whom the England captain netted an impressive 36 Bundesliga goals last season.

In Portugal’s clash with Chile, Cristiano Ronaldo added another 46 minutes to his tally as his side secured a comfortable win. However, the main talking point was Rafael Leão’s sending-off in first-half stoppage time. The AC Milan winger appeared to swing a hand towards defender Ivan Román after a dispute over a foul, prompting both players to be shown straight reds.

Such incidents are uncommon in friendly matches and will raise concerns about Leão’s temperament, as any similar lapse in discipline could risk suspension during the World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Portugal still went on to win 2-1, with Gonçalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes scoring before Lucas Cepeda pulled one back late for Chile.

Scotland completed their World Cup preparations with a convincing victory over Bolivia in New Jersey, making it four goals in consecutive friendlies. Lawrence Shankland opened the scoring within five minutes, followed by goals from Scott McTominay and Che Adams, with the Torino striker adding a second to complete his brace and seal a 4-0 win.

Adams’ late strike rounded off an excellent evening for Steve Clarke’s side at the Sports Illustrated Stadium, boosting confidence ahead of their opening World Cup match against debutants Haiti next Sunday.

Germany started strongly against co-hosts USA, with Kai Havertz continuing his fine form from the Champions League final by scoring within two minutes. Fulham’s attacking wing-back Antonee Robinson equalised with a superb volley before Havertz turned provider, assisting Leroy Sané to clinch the win for Julian Nagelsmann’s team.

Belgium, meanwhile, enjoyed a dominant display in Brussels, thrashing 10-man Tunisia in their final friendly before their opener against Egypt on 15th June. Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock before Charles De Ketelaere, Kevin De Bruyne, Dodi Lukébakio, and Nicolas Raskin all added goals in the second half. Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku impressed with two assists, reinforcing Belgium’s reputation as dark horses in the tournament.

For Tunisia, the defeat capped a disappointing run of one win in four friendlies since their African Cup of Nations exit on penalties to Mali. Their only victory came against World Cup debutants Haiti in March, and their evening worsened when Augsburg loanee Ismaël Gharbi received a second yellow card and was dismissed just past the hour mark.

Elsewhere, Panama drew 1-1 with Bosnia & Herzegovina, marking their sixth consecutive match without a clean sheet, while Switzerland and Australia also shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw. Haiti, preparing for their first-ever World Cup, suffered a 2-1 defeat to Peru. Brazil’s fixture against Egypt and Turkey’s meeting with Venezuela were still in progress at the time of reporting.