Player ratings: England sweep aside Costa Rica in final World Cup warm-up match | OneFootball

England capped off their 2026 World Cup preparations with a needed 3-0 victory over Costa Rica, marking a significant step up in quality from Saturday’s laboured outing against New Zealand.

Goals from Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon, and Ollie Watkins reminded their supporters lining the stands and those that stayed up to watch on television back home that England can play football, and they can play it well.

The result was made even more impressive in the context of an hour-long delay due to rain, followed by nearby lightening strikes, and though it wasn’t a vintage display it was enough to ease any nerves going into the tournament.

This wasn’t quite a vintage display, but goals from Declan Rice, and ensured a perfect sign off for Thomas Tuchel’s side before kicking off their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Group L next Wednesday.

FromTheSpot looks at who stood out ahead of that opening fixture on the 17th of June against Croatia.

Starting Lineup

Jordan Pickford – 5/10

The only player on the pitch to arguably put a foot wrong. The Everton man’s goal was never troubled, but his sloppy pass in the first half gifted Fernando Batista’s side a good half chance they couldn’t take.

Reece James – 7/10

The Chelsea right back had very little to do defensively but looked dangerous down the right hand side, combining well with Noni Madueke and Declan Rice. If he can stay fit, he looks likely to be Tuchel’s first choice at right back going forward.

John Stones and Ezri Konsa – 7/10

These two have been grouped together because their performances were virtually identical. Both looked composed on the rare occasions they needed to be, and avoided drawing attention to themselves with silly mistakes.

You can’t ask for much more from your centre back pairing, especially against such subpar opposition.

Nico O’Reilly – 6/10

The Man City starlet performed reasonably but got bullied off the ball a few times. Against better opposition he could struggle.

Elliot Anderson – 7/10

The Nottingham Forest dynamo didn’t produce much of note but looked energetic throughout, and played a couple of nice passes.

Declan Rice – 9/10 (Man of the Match)

Arsenal’s star midfielder opened the scoring within ten minutes with a well taken first-time finish, and looked a constant threat in the final third with some classy line-breaking through balls. No wonder he’s in the Ballon D’or conversation.

Noni Madueke – 8/10

Madueke’s end product was lacking at times, particularly when he hit the post with his weaker foot when faced with an open goal. But overall he looked lively and direct, and proved himself an able deputy for Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka.

Jude Bellingham – 7/10

Stourbridge’s answer to Lothar Matthaus started quietly but grew into the match as it wore on. He produced a moment of magic in the second half with a jinking run before squaring for Eberechi Eze, who’s shot won a penalty after being blocked by a Costa Rica elbow.

Anthony Gordon – 9/10

For the second successive game Barcelona’s shiny new £70m signing looked like one of England’s best players. The winger was a menace down the left flank, and set up Rice’s goal with his own solo run and cross before converting the aforementioned penalty in the second 45. Half a point has been deducted for an embarrassing first half swan dive, but other than that the ex-Newcastle man looked flawless and has surely sealed a starting spot against Croatia.

Harry Kane – 7/10

Bayern Munich’s number 9 didn’t score on this occasion but got into some good areas and went close a couple of times. He also produced a trademark crossfield ball for Gordon which the Liverpudlian wasted with his aforesaid dive.

Substitutes

Dean Henderson – 6/10

Crystal Palace’s number one had nothing to do at all, so his middle-ground rating reflects that. Not bad, not outstanding either.

Djed Spence – 6/10

Similar to Henderson the right back had nothing to do defensively, but didn’t get forward as much as he is capable of. An underwhelming display overall.

Marc Guehi and Jarrell Quansah – 6/10

Again, like Stones and Konsa these two are being rated together because of how similar their performances were. Both had a quiet evening and saw little to no action in their final third. Next.

Dan Burn – 7/10

The ‘boy from Blyth’ did his job defensively when required and looked a danger from set pieces in the latter stages.

Kobbie Mainoo – 7/10

The Mancunian showed glimpses of what he is capable of here and there, and forced substitute keeper Abraham Madriz to be alert to a fizzing long-range effort.

Bukayo Saka 7/10

Despite not being fully fit the Londoner created some decent half chances, and came close to a goal of his own late on.

Eberechi Eze 8/10

Talk about making an impact. Tottenham’s terroriser in chief won a penalty, had multiple shots of his own blocked, and carved open the Costa defence with a sumptuous through ball for Morgan Rogers which the Villa man couldn’t take advantage of.

Morgan Rogers 6/10

Like Madueke the 23-year-old missed a sitter, but it was his parried shot which ultimately led to England’s third. Even so that howler has surely cost him a starting berth against Croatia.

Marcus Rashford 8/10

Gordon’s main rival fashioned a brilliant close-range opportunity for himself courtesy of a mazy run from out wide, only to be denied by a John Ruiz block. A promising performance to add to his outing against New Zealand.

Ollie Watkins 8/10

The forward was in the right place and the right time to head in the rebound after Rogers’ strike was batted out carelessly by the goalkeeper, and will do well to keep taking up similar positions in England’s group stage matches.