Having to wait an extra hour before kick-off meant my bed had to wait a bit longer, but as it happens it was worth staying awake as the match was full of incident, if not always of the wholesome kind. Another female referee in Ms Koroleva, and boy did she have her work cut out in this one. There were several fouls in the first three minutes as Thomas Tuchel went with a much more balanced team at the start. It was soon obvious that Costa Rica would take no prisoners, mixing it physically when they couldn't get the ball fairly.

Jude Bellingham had the first clear chance in the 6th minute but his shot was just deflected wide, and then Harry Kane went down, screaming for a penalty, to no avail. With nine minutes gone Anthony Gordon picked up possession on the left-wing and his devastating pace took him past his marker before he pulled the ball back to Declan Rice who hit a first time shot that found the far corner. An excellent goal and a good start for England. The Costa Rica side continued to play the game as a physical contest and several challenges in the box worthy of a penalty went unpunished. As I watched I had the uncomfortable feeling that there would be some red cards handed out in the match at some point but to England's credit they did not respond to their opponent's provocations.

Another fine, speedy run by Gordon was only thwarted by a save from Patrick Sequeira who had a good game in the Central American team's goal. And then Noni Madueke got through only for yet another foul stopping the move. Rice's cross is well caught by the keeper and then, at last, the referee produced a yellow card for the first time when she booked Shaun Johnson of the Costa Rican team. That was a booking that was long overdue. Shortly after that incident Harry Kane almost scored a replica of his goal against New Zealand in the previous game, but this time his glancing header was pushed away at full stretch by Sequeira. Madueke went close again and then Kane shot over the bar, and that heralded a drinks break.

From the restart Jordan Pickford's kick-out was awful and almost presented a chance for the Americans. They did win a corner but that came to nothing. When the brutal Jeyland Mitchell blatantly barged Gordon over, I couldn't help but think the Russian referee was out of her depth a little, especially as it seemed an age before the free-kick was taken. In the 36th minute Madueke made the miss of the match and no-one could explain how he missed the chance. Bellingham sent a fine pass through for the Arsenal man to run onto, he took the ball in his stride, went round the keeper and then from very close range he hit the post with the shot. An unbelievable miss which everyone will hope won't be repeated in the tournament.

As the half drew to a close there were many more fouls in a rough and tumble display with bodies falling everywhere. The ref brandished more yellow cards and two minutes into only four added minutes of extra time the referee sees Gordon go down and gives a penalty. It looked a certain spot-kick but the ref went to the screen after a review and overturned her decision. After that half-time arrived with relief for everyone. Especially me, for screaming at the telly!

After the restart Costa Rica began the second-half as they ended the first, with two fouls in the opening minute. Two minutes later a good effort from Madueke when he cut inside from the right and shot just past the far post. When Carlos Mora broke away at the other end some clever defending by Rice fended off the danger, and the speed, fitness and pace of England was showing up well. Gordon, whose trickery was baffling the Costa Ricans, was heavily taken out by that number three, Mitchell again, but the referee still saw nothing wrong. Gordon played really well throughout but goodness me he did take some punishment form his opponents. Just before the hour mark the Costa goalkeeper went down injured and it was soon time to bring on the subs.

England once again changed the whole side, although this time it was in two batches. On 66 minutes Bellingham's mazy dribble set up a shot for sub Eberechi Eze. The ball flew wide and at first it wasn't clear what happened but then the referee gave another penalty for handball, and this time it stood. Up stepped man-of-the-match Gordon who despatched the spot-kick with aplomb giving the keeper no chance.

A drinks break, more substitutions coming on, couldn't keep up with it to be honest, and before I knew it Marcus Rashford was making a run at goal. Where did he come from? Mitchell then rugby tackled an England player in the box as a corner came in, but again no response from the ref, and then a minute later Morgan Rogers missed another sitter after being put through. England really must take those sort of chances when the big stuff starts. Eze saw a shot blocked and the computer counting the Costa Rican fouls must have been blowing a gasket by now!

In the last ten minutes it was all England but with no real end product, until that is the 87th minute. A shot from 20 yards by Rogers was pushed out by the keeper straight on to the head of Ollie Watkins who followed up to make it 3-0 with a well taken goal. It was good to see the England energy in those last minutes and that augers well. It was all England right to the end with Kobbie Mainoo seeing his shot saved, Watkins almost made it four and then Rogers shot over from close in.

It was a tough match physically for England but they coped really well with it. It was a good learning curve, and three goals and another clean sheet gives them a good platform to take on to the next game. Some very good performances all round the team and a very good workout. As for Costa, they need more coffee. As for me, I'm shattered and off to bed!
  

Source Notes