Gordon shines as England wins against Costa Rica in warm-up

England continued their preparations for the World Cup by comfortably defeating Costa Rica in their final warm-up match at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on June 11, 2026. Anthony Gordon and Declan Rice were both on target as England showcased their attacking prowess in a game where Costa Rica struggled to make an impact.

The match started under challenging weather conditions, with heavy rain delaying kickoff by an hour. However, once the game began, England quickly established control. Rice opened the scoring early, capitalizing on a cross from Gordon after the latter had outpaced Costa Rica's right-back, Shawn Johnson.

Gordon had a standout performance, particularly after being chosen to start over Marcus Rashford on the left wing. He was instrumental in creating space and opportunities, converting a penalty later in the match. Ollie Watkins also added to the scoreline late in the game, tapping in from close range after Jordan Pickford’s initial save on a shot from Morgan Rogers.

Manager Thomas Tuchel's choice of Jude Bellingham in the No. 10 role proved crucial as Bellingham provided creativity and energy, linking well with captain Harry Kane. Despite the dominance, England missed several chances to extend their lead, with Noni Madueke notably hitting the post after being put through on goal.

The match was not without its moments of tension; an initial penalty awarded to Gordon for a foul was overturned following a review by the video assistant referee, highlighting the tight margins in football.

As England prepares for their World Cup opener against Croatia on June 14, Tuchel's side demonstrated their potential, albeit against a Costa Rican team that seldom threatened. The victory will serve as a morale booster as they set their sights on the tournament ahead.