England beat New Zealand in the semi-final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. England won 19–7 at Yokohama Stadium, ending the All Blacks’ 18-match winning streak at the tournament and reaching the final.
England started brilliantly. Manu Tuilagi scored a try in the second minute after a well-organised attacking move, and Owen Farrell converted it. New Zealand responded through Ardie Savea, but England controlled the match with disciplined defence and four successful penalties from George Ford.
The victory was historic because it was England’s first win over New Zealand in a Rugby World Cup match. New Zealand had won the previous two World Cups and had not lost at the tournament since France defeated them in the 2007 quarter-final.
England faced South Africa in the final one week later but lost 32–12. New Zealand recovered to beat Wales in the bronze final. A common mistake is to confuse this semi-final with the other 2019 semi-final, in which South Africa defeated Wales 19–16.