Match Summary

England Team

Costa Rica Team

This very interesting and entertaining international friendly ended England's build-up to the World Cup Finals in Russia on a high as they played very well to secure a 2-0 win.  The match was played in Leeds, at Elland Road, and this could be a forerunner of things to come if the proposed sale of Wembley Stadium goes ahead.  Certainly the atmosphere was electric and the crowd really got behind their team, not something that always happens at Wembley.

The match began with England on the front foot and they were soon winning a corner.  Marcus Rashford, right from the kick-off, showed some of the natural ability that earned him an England call-up in the first part of his fledgling career.  For the first time in ages he really looked as though he was enjoying his football, and the Costa Rican defenders didn't quite know how to handle his pace and his skill.  In the 8th minute Rashford won a corner and from it the ball went just over from Phil Jones's header, which scraped the bar and the goalkeeper's hand to give England another corner.  This came to nothing but England continued with the aggressive opening and they were rewarded by a fine goal in the 13th minute.

A quick inter-passing move involving Reuben Loftus-Cheek and Rashford ended with the Manchester United player trying his luck from range.  England players have been reluctant to try long range shots over recent internationals, but not this time.  Rashford hit an absolute gem of a shot which dipped into the top far corner with the goalkeeper completely perplexed.

England were totally in command at this point and they dominated possession.  Gareth Southgate had particularly asked for a non-European referee for this game and the Japanese official did baffle players with some of his decisions, notably when Loftus-Cheek was penalised for no apparent reason!  Still, England continued to shine, with Danny Rose down the left, and Fabian Delph in midfield getting through a lot of good work.  Rashford combined with that pair in one good move down the left, and then on 20 minutes Jamie Vardy saw a shot well smothered by the Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, after the ball had been headed across goal to him.  Four minutes later another good move, this time down the right side, saw Jones have a shot which deflected into the keeper's hands.  Rashford was playing really well and twice he shut down defenders to good effect.  But then, on 27 minutes, Costa Rica fashioned a chance of their own.

England lost concentration at a throw-in and the ball dropped to Johan Vanegas, who cut inside and unleashed a good shot aimed at the far post.  Jack Butland, who had had little to do up to that point, dived well to his left to tip the ball around the post.  That was a reminder to England to stay alert at all times.

England remained in control however, and more good play from Rashford won them a free-kick.  Challenges on the goalkeeper were a no no, for the referee though and England were pulled up for the most innocuous of challenges.  Another brilliant pass from Rashford put Jordan Henderson away but his cross was just over-hit as Vardy came in.  England's dominance had deserved more than the one goal and they must somehow find a way of killing teams off when they have them at their mercy.

Debutant Trent Alexander-Arnold, was having an impressive first game and one lovely cross was only just deflected for a corner as the England front players attacked the ball.  As the half drew to a close the beleaguered visiting defenders were showing some desperation at the back and they only just managed to head away another Alexander-Arnold cross, before Rashford made another fine run only to be stopped when almost through.  Delph, Loftus-Cheek and especially Rashford had been the pick of the players as the half-time whistle blew.  The 1-0 scoreline had hardly reflected England's dominance.

England began the second-half, again on the front foot, but a shot by Marco Urena had to be dealt with by the alert Butland.  On 56 minutes only a fine save by Navas prevented a second goal.  Henderson was twice involved, first with a fine pass to Vardy, and then, as the ball was half cleared, he followed up to fire in a fierce shot which Navas somehow deflected away for a corner.  Harry Maguire then also had a chance and his header was kicked off the line by Bryan Oviedo.  Understandably perhaps, remembering what a fast pace had been shown thus far, both teams showed signs of flagging around the hour mark and England allowed Christian Gamboa far too much room for a shot.  Luckily he fired it over the bar.

The next five minutes saw England make five substitutions with Danny Welbeck coming on for Vardy and then Henderson, Alexander-Arnold, Butland and Stones were replaced by Deli Alli, Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope (for his first cap), and Gary Cahill.  Costa Rica also made changes and for a while England's earlier give and go excellence had faded somewhat, with the give there but not the go.  But any uncertainty was ended with a second goal for England on 76 minutes.  It was a good move too, with Rashford and Alli combining for the latter to aim a cross-shot at the far post.  Actually it turned into more of a cross but it landed perfectly for Welbeck to race in and head home from close range.

England effectively won the match with that second goal, and they saw the rest of the game out with some comfort.  Delph was now playing the anchor role in midfield, and performing very well.  With six minutes to go fine play down the right by England saw Trippier, Rashford and Delph combine to give Phil Jones a chance, but the defender's final shot was deflected into the keeper's arms.  Pope confidently saved from Ronald Matarrita at his near post and Urena fired another shot wide.  It was token attempts though as the game was won.  The crowd were impressed with England's display and the players can certainly go to Russia with every confidence of doing well.  Only time will tell, but everyone will be wishing them good luck, and that goes without saying.  And if players like Marcus Rashford can play as well as he did against Costa Rica, then who knows?  Man of the Match?  No contest!
   

TheFA.com BBC Sport

Mike Payne - football historian and contributor