Gordon stakes claim in England win over Costa Rica

  • Anthony Gordon made his case for a starting spot at the World Cup as he scored and assisted in England's 3-0 win over Costa Rica in its final warm-up match.

Despite kick-off being delayed for an hour due to stormy conditions in Orlando, England made light work of Costa Rica and head into its opening Group L game against Croatia next week on the back of two victories.

England needed just nine minutes to take the lead at Inter&Co Stadium, as Declan Rice swept a deflected shot into the bottom-right corner after Gordon had skipped beyond Shawn Johnson before cutting back for the Arsenal midfielder. 

The Three Lions' dominance continued and only a sensational fingertip stop from Patrick Sequeira kept Harry Kane's glancing header from Rice's teasing free-kick out of the net. 

Noni Madueke should have doubled England's lead 10 minutes before half-time after rounding Sequeira, but he somehow hit the post with the goal gaping before the lively Gordon thought he had won a penalty after being bundled over by Johnson, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review. 

England was awarded a spot-kick in the 68th minute when Eberechi Eze's goal-bound shot was handled by Darril Araya, with Gordon stepping up to lash beyond substitute goalkeeper Abraham Madriz. 

Morgan Rogers then passed up a glorious opportunity to add to England's tally after firing wide when one-on-one, but it was his shot that led to England's third, as Madriz parried the strike straight to Ollie Watkins, who nodded in to seal the win.

Anthony Michael Gordon
Anthony Michael Gordon
England