2-0 v Auckland FC - 26 July 2026 - Away

Dane Scarlett and Richarlison opened their pre-season accounts as we beat A-League champions Auckland FC 2-0 at Eden Park on Sunday.

The first match of our summer tour attracted a record crowd for men's football in New Zealand - 40,112 - toppled only by Women's World Cup games at the same venue in 2023.

We were always in control at the famous home of the All Blacks with poacher's goals from Dane after 12 minutes and Richy with 20 minutes remaining securing a hard-fought but, ultimately, comfortable win.

Roberto De Zerbi named Archie Gray as the captain of a young team including eight Academy graduates - Brandon Austin, Tye Hall, Malachi Hardy, Rio Kyerematen, Jamie Donley, Luca Williams-Barnett, Mikey Moore and Scarlett.

Typically everywhere, Gray was instrumental in the opening goal on 12 minutes, intercepting a pass out of defence before picking out Manor Solomon at the far post. Solomon's volley was parried out by Michael Woud, but Scarlett was ready to pounce and tucked into an empty net.

Jamie Donley curled just wide and was then denied by Woud, who soon kept out Scarlett, the striker set up via another break from Gray.

It wasn't all Spurs in the first half, though. Indeed, Brandon Austin made the first and last saves of the half, first turning away Daniel Normann's shot on three minutes and then, even better, spreading himself to block a golden chance from Sam Cosgrove.

We continued to dominate after the break as Auckland FC made changes, although clear-cut chances were at a premium.

Roberto changed it up just after the hour, introducing more senior players, the likes of Ben Davies, Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel and Richarlison.

Tel looked particularly lively down the left and soon created our second goal, driving to the byline before picking our Richarlison with his cut back - Richarlison did the rest from six yards for 2-0. Tel had the final action of note, another run and this time a shot blocked by Joseph Knowles, on for Woud.

Next up, Sydney FC - who Auckland FC beat in last season's A-League final - at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday (10.45am UK).

Line-ups

Auckland FC: First half: Woud, Sakai (c), Howieson, Cosgrove, Bayliss, Normann, Wynne, Vicelich, Rogerson, D'Hotman, Fitzharris.

Second half: Woud (Knowles 71), Wynne, Vicelich, Calver, de Vries, Brimmer, Gallegos, Brook, Prins (Naidoo 86), Bidois, Ferguson (Cartwright 71).

Spurs: Austin, Tye Hall (Russell-Denny 87), Hardy (Byrne 79), Takai (Tingey 87), Kyerematen (Davies 62), Donley (Fernandes 62), Gray (c; Gallagher 62), Williams-Barnett (Tel 62), Moore (Yang 62), Solomon (Tyrese Hall 79), Scarlett (Richarlison 62).