Auckland vs Tottenham

Roberto De Zerbi handed the captain's armband to 19-year-old Archie Gray in a youthful Spurs XI that featured eight Academy graduates — Brandon Austin, Tye Hall, Malachi Hardy, Rio Kyerematen, Jamie Donley, Luca Williams-Barnett, Mikey Moore and Scarlett.

The defining moment arrived inside 12 minutes. Gray intercepted a loose pass out of Auckland's defence and picked out Manor Solomon at the far post. Solomon's first-time volley was parried by Michael Woud, but Scarlett — following in the traditional poacher's lane — tucked the rebound into an empty net for 1-0.

Donley curled just wide and was then denied by Woud, who also kept out Scarlett after another break sparked by Gray. At the other end, Austin made two sharp saves — turning away Daniel Normann's early effort on three minutes and spreading himself superbly to block Sam Cosgrove's close-range chance before half-time.

Auckland made eight substitutions at the break, and the match settled into a steadier rhythm. De Zerbi introduced his senior reinforcements on 62 minutes — Ben Davies, Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel and Richarlison all entered the fray.

The change paid off on 70 minutes. Tel, lively down the left, drove to the byline and cut back for Richarlison, who swept home from six yards to make it 2-0. Tel almost added a third late on, his run and shot blocked by substitute goalkeeper Joseph Knowles.

Gray's 12th-minute interception was the game's defining moment. It not only produced the opener but set the tone for a Spurs performance that controlled the contest without ever needing to move through the gears. Against an Auckland side that had beaten Sydney FC in the A-League final, the early goal forced the hosts to chase the game — a task made harder by their raft of half-time changes.

Archie Gray (Tottenham) — The captain was everywhere: intercepting the pass that led to the opener, breaking up Auckland attacks, and progressing the ball through midfield. His composure belied his 19 years and underlined why De Zerbi trusted him with the armband.

Dane Scarlett (Tottenham) — A poacher's goal inside 12 minutes set Spurs on their way. He was denied a second by Woud but his movement and pressing caused problems all afternoon.

Mathys Tel (Tottenham) — Introduced on 62 minutes, the Frenchman created Richarlison's goal with a powerful run and precise cut-back. He was a constant threat down the left and forced a late save from Knowles.

Brandon Austin (Tottenham) — Two important first-half saves, particularly the block from Cosgrove, kept the scoreline clean and ensured Auckland never built momentum.

Player of the Match: Archie Gray.

The scoreline flattered Auckland's resistance less than the 0-2 margin suggests. Tottenham's first-half control was reflected in their territorial dominance, with Gray and Donley pulling the strings in central areas. The 13 substitutions made by Auckland (against Spurs' 10) disrupted any rhythm the hosts might have built after that early setback. The record 40,112 crowd — the largest for a men's football match in New Zealand, surpassed only by Women's World Cup fixtures at the same venue in 2023 — created a genuine occasion, but the gap in quality between a Premier League side and an A-League champion was evident in the composure of Spurs' build-up play — particularly through Gray and Solomon in the first half.

Tottenham's pre-season tour continues on 29 July against Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium (10:45 BST / 19:45 AEST), a match that pits De Zerbi's side against the team Auckland beat in last season's A-League Grand Final. The friendly against Chelsea follows on 1 August at Accor Stadium, before Spurs face TSG Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 16 August in their final pre-season outing. The Premier League campaign begins on the weekend of 15-16 August.

For Auckland, the friendly represents a high-profile preparation fixture as they build towards their A-League title defence. The record attendance demonstrates the growing appetite for football in New Zealand, with Eden Park proving a fitting venue.

A professional, controlled start to Tottenham's pre-season against a game but outmatched Auckland side. De Zerbi's mix of youth and experience worked precisely as intended — the academy graduates provided energy and intent, while the senior introductions closed out the game with authority. Scarlett and Richarlison both got on the scoresheet, but Gray's all-round performance was the most encouraging takeaway for Spurs fans heading into the Sydney clash.