Rio Ngumoha scored a stunning long-range effort as England played their final training game before the World Cup, with a 6-0 friendly win over Miami FC.
Ngumoha travelled with the England squad to their pre-tournament camp in Miami and made his senior debut in the 1-0 win over New Zealand.
The 17-year-old was named Man of the Match after his second-half performance in that game, but with Thomas Tuchel using the follow-up friendly against Costa Rica to prepare his starting XI, he was not involved again.
But with England facing second-tier side Miami FC in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday, Ngumoha scored what was described as a “breathtaking” goal.
The Mail‘s Craig Hope reports that the game was split into two parts with the Three Lions’ rotated side winning 1-0 in the first and then 5-0 in the second.
DOHA, QATAR - Sunday, December 4, 2022: England's Jordan Henderson during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between England and Senegal at the Al Bayt Stadium. England won 3-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ivan Toney netted a hat-trick with Ethan Nwaneri and Jordan Henderson – included for a record-breaking seventh major tournament with England – also scoring.
Ngumoha’s goal was said to be the highlight of the game and will only increase the scrutiny over Tuchel’s decision to leave him out of his final squad for the World Cup.
The England squad were set to enjoy a night out in Miami on Thursday night before preparations continue ahead of their Group L opener against Croatia on Wednesday.
After his invaluable experience as part of the Three Lions, Ngumoha is now set to depart the England camp and enjoy a well-earned break.
What next for Rio Ngumoha?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He is due to be among the first to report to the AXA Training Centre for the start of pre-season under new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
With Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak both at the World Cup, Hugo Ekitike sidelined with a long-term Achilles injury and Mo Salah now departed, Ngumoha is likely to play a key role throughout the summer.
That could see him earn a regular starting spot under Iraola, with it clear his generational potential cannot be sidelined for long.
Liverpool are expected to sign at least one other winger this summer, with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande the priority target, while 15-year-old Josh Abe is set to be called up from the academy.
Reflecting on his England debut, Ngumoha told the national team’s ‘Extra Time’ series: “We got on the coach to the game and that’s when everything started feeling real, ‘today I’m going to play’.
“I saw all the fans, got to the changing room, I saw my shirt, my name on the back, that was surreal.
“My heart was beating a little bit. I wasn’t too nervous, but my heart was just beating a bit.
“Once you’re on the pitch, once you get a first touch, then it’s like ‘OK, this is my game, just football, how I’ve been playing since I was five’.
“I just play however, just play with freedom, don’t be too shy or too scared.”