England's remaining match earlier than the World Cup led to victory as Costa Rica had been comfortably crushed 2-0 towards the backdrop of an glorious ambiance at Elland Road.
In England's first match at Leeds' dwelling floor since 2004, Gareth Southgate gave a debut to Trent Alexander-Arnold, whereas Jack Butland began in aim forward of Jordan Pickford. Costa Rica's beginning eleven contained six gamers who performed towards England on the 2014 World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold bought his debut off to a good begin as he whipped in an early cross which Giancarlo Gonzalez miscued for the primary nook of the sport. Some good interchange play practically pressured an opening as the house facet started positively.
A pleasant piece of trickery from Marcus Rashford pressured one other nook from which Phil Jones examined Keylor Navas, although the second nook was handled by the guests. For essentially the most half, Costa Rica had been trying each inch the organised staff that reached the World Cup quarter finals 4 years in the past.
However, there was nothing they may do in regards to the opening aim. Marcus Rashford discovered himself in acres of house on the sting of the field and unleashed a good dipping strike which Navas might solely watch because it flew previous him and into the again of the online. As towards Nigeria, England had an early lead on which to construct.
three - All three of Marcus Rashford’s objectives for England have are available video games he began for the Three Lions (v Australia, Slovakia and Costa Rica). Claim. pic.twitter.com/LqRpVjWVKL
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 7, 2018
England might have doubled their lead when Fabian Delph's harmful ball into the field was flicked on by John Stones and Harry Maguire to a extra appropriate finisher, however Jamie Vardy was shortly closed down by Navas who smothered the shot.
Costa Rica had provided little or no thus far however Butland was referred to as into motion for the primary time as Johan Venegas's effort referred to as for a good save from the Stoke goalkeeper. England remained in management however Los Ticos held their form and stored the possibility depend down.
England gained one other nook which reached the pinnacle of Maguire, however his header got here to Ruben Loftus-Cheek too shortly and Costa Rica had been capable of clear. The Central American facet made it to half time only one aim behind, however the hosts had been very a lot the superior staff.
The second half began pretty quietly however the followers got here to life when Jordan Henderson powered a well-struck shot goalwards and Navas was pressured to push behind. From the ensuing nook, Maguire's goalbound header was cleared off the road by Bryan Oviedo.
England made 5 substitutions across the hour mark, bringing an finish to a strong debut for Alexander-Arnold as he was changed by Kieran Trippier. Nick Pope was additionally handed his England debut rather than Butland, and captain Henderson was changed by Dele Alli.
Trippier bent a free kick across the wall however extensive of the mark as England tried to get again into the swing of issues following the momentum-breaking subs. A Trippier cross was flicked on by one other sub, Danny Welbeck, however Danny Rose miscued his shot off-target.
England lastly bought the second aim their efficiency had merited as Alli exchanged passes with Rose earlier than discovering the pinnacle of Welbeck, who could not miss with the aim gaping. Jesse Lingard then changed Loftus-Cheek.
Ronald Matarrita gave Pope his first save to make, although it was routine for the Burnley stopper. Otherwise it was a snug finish to the sport for England, who had been the higher facet from begin to end.
It was the proper option to log off forward of the vital enterprise to return, which begins in Volgograd towards Tunisia on Monday week.