England completed their preparations for the World Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in Orlando, as Anthony Gordon delivered a standout performance that may have strengthened his case for a starting place at the tournament.
The winger played a central role in the Three Lions’ success, providing an assist for the opening goal before adding a strike of his own after the interval. Ollie Watkins later sealed the win as Thomas Tuchel’s side produced a far more polished display than in their previous outing.
With the World Cup due to begin on Thursday, the match represented England’s final opportunity to fine-tune their plans and for players to make one last impression on the manager ahead of the opening fixtures.
Kick-off at Inter&Co Stadium was delayed by an hour after heavy rain and lightning affected the Orlando area. Despite concerns about the weather, the playing surface held up well once the match eventually began at 22:00 BST.
England entered the game without Bukayo Saka, who was still working his way back to full fitness. Otherwise, Tuchel had close to his strongest squad available. Notably, it was the first occasion on which his selected starting XI had played together.
The visitors quickly showed greater intensity than they had displayed in their recent meeting with New Zealand. England moved the ball sharply and looked particularly dangerous down the left flank, where Gordon and Nico O’Reilly combined effectively throughout the opening stages.
Jude Bellingham registered England’s first attempt on goal after being found following good work from the pair. Although the midfielder’s effort drifted wide, it signalled the attacking intent that England maintained throughout much of the evening.
The breakthrough arrived after another incisive move involving Gordon. The winger beat his marker before supplying Declan Rice, who finished emphatically to score his seventh international goal and give England a deserved lead.
Costa Rica, who will not participate at the World Cup, provided a determined and physical challenge. However, they struggled to contain England’s attacking movement as the visitors continued to create chances.
Harry Kane almost doubled the lead when he directed a header towards goal, only for goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira to produce an excellent save. Sequeira was called into action again moments later to deny Noni Madueke.
Madueke then came within inches of extending England’s advantage. Released by a superb pass from Bellingham, he rounded the goalkeeper but saw his effort strike the post.
England were also awarded a penalty after Gordon appeared to have been brought down following another precise pass from Kane. However, referee Ekaterina Koroleva overturned the decision after consulting VAR.
Tuchel resisted making changes at half-time, preferring to give his likely starters additional minutes in demanding conditions.
England continued to dominate after the restart. Kane’s excellent distribution remained a feature of the performance, with another crossfield pass creating space for Madueke, whose curling effort narrowly missed the target.
The manager later introduced several substitutes, including Saka, while Bellingham was deployed as a false nine to allow Kane a period of rest.
England’s persistence was rewarded when Gordon added his name to the scoresheet from the penalty spot after the break, capping an influential display that also included his assist for Rice’s opener.
The final goal arrived late on through a combination involving Aston Villa team-mates Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins. Rogers supplied the delivery and Watkins headed home to complete a comfortable victory.
The result provided England with an encouraging send-off before the World Cup, with Gordon emerging as one of the evening’s biggest winners after a performance that combined creativity, energy and a clinical finish.
As the Three Lions now turn their attention to the tournament itself, Tuchel will have been pleased by the quality, intensity and attacking fluency shown by his side in their final warm-up match.
