England concluded their public preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a convincing 3-0 win over Costa Rica in Orlando, Florida. The match, held at Inter&Co Stadium on June 10, 2026, was delayed by an hour due to a severe thunderstorm that left the pitch waterlogged. Despite the challenging conditions, England showcased a high level of intensity, contrasting with earlier experimental line-ups.

Match Highlights

Declan Rice opened the scoring within the first ten minutes with a heavily deflected shot, assisted by the dynamic Anthony Gordon. Gordon later made his mark in the second half, successfully converting a penalty in the 66th minute. Substitute Ollie Watkins added a third goal late in the match, capitalizing on a rebound from a Morgan Rogers attempt. The match proved to be a physically demanding contest, but Gordon's standout performance and Jude Bellingham's strong return to form provided manager Thomas Tuchel with a selection dilemma ahead of their opening group stage match against Croatia.

Player Ratings

In terms of player performances, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford received a rating of 6/10 for his role as a sweeper-keeper, although he had a moment of concern with a loose clearance. Reece James also earned a 6/10 for a solid defensive display, while Ezri Konsa stood out with a rating of 7/10, demonstrating composure in a physical battle and achieving a remarkable 98% pass completion rate. John Stones, rated 6/10, contributed to the calmness of the backline as he focused on building match fitness.

Overall, the match served as an effective final warm-up for England, allowing them to fine-tune their tactics and build momentum ahead of the World Cup.