England beat Miami FC 6-0 during their final practice match before the World Cup begins, with Ivan Toney among the goals.
Daily Mail Sport understands the training-ground game against the American second-tier side was split into two sections, with Thomas Tuchel’s men winning the first of them 1-0 and the second 5-0.
Sources say Toney was the star man and helped himself to as many as three goals, including one ‘worldie’ from long range. Jordan Henderson, Ethan Nwaneri and Rio Ngumoha were also thought to be on target. Ngumoha’s goal was said to be a breathtaking strike from distance.
Defender Marc Guehi and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo also impressed, with Tuchel watching on at their West Palm Beach base in Florida. The likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham were not involved after their part in the 3-0 win over Costa Rice in Orlando on Wednesday night, but the four young players who have trained with the group for the past 10 days did get a run out.
Ivan Toney’s hat-trick in the behind-closed-doors friendly included a ‘worldie’ from distance
Liverpool winger Ngumoha, 17, made his debut during the 1-0 win over New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday and won rave reviews. He again caught the eye but, like Nwaneri, Alex Scott and Josh King, he will leave camp this weekend when the squad move on to their Kansas City base.
There were no injuries reported during the game and observers were impressed with the fitness, touch and intensity of England.
Tuchel, speaking earlier this week, explained: ‘It will be a match according to our rules. It will not be 90 minutes, maybe 60 minutes, maybe 2 x 30 or 2 x 25. It is to get some minutes into the legs of players who didn’t get minutes against Costa Rica.’
Thomas Tuchel saw his players smash six past Miami to end their World Cup preparations
Only three outfield players did not get on against Costa Rica – Toney, Henderson and Tino Livramento – and they all featured here. Toney was a handful for Miami, managed by Argentine Gaston Maddoni, but the USL Championship side provided competitive opposition during the first period especially.
Toney’s goals would have done him no harm. The 30-year-old was a controversial inclusion in Tuchel’s World Cup squad and he did not look particularly sharp during the second half against New Zealand. Here, though, it is said that his finishing, movement and physicality stood out.
The squad will now enjoy a team-bonding meal in Miami on Thursday night before several play golf on Friday. They fly to Kansas City on Saturday morning and will train at their Swope Soccer Village base for the first time in the evening.
