After underwhelming performances in recent games against Uruguay, Japan and New Zealand, the Three Lions finally roared again against Costa Rica. Back in March, Thomas Tuchel’s England had drawn against Uruguay before losing to Japan. They went on to only narrowly beat the Kiwis 1-0 on 6th June, but deservedly thrashed Costa Rica 3-0 on a very wet evening in Orlando.
All four of these games were friendlies and, by and large, featured experimental lineups. That was especially true of the class with New Zealand, which saw Thomas Tuchel field different XIs in each half and he included a player who’s not in his World Cup squad. It was very different against Costa Rica, with Tuchel starting an incredibly strong team that many feel may have revealed his thoughts on what his best lineup is.
Was That England’s Team?
Following the 1-0 victory over New Zealand, Tuchel was asked about Jude Bellingham’s place as a starter. The German, who has favoured Morgan Rogers at number 10 for much of his reign, said that the Real Madrid superstar was one of 14 or 15 “starters”. He made it clear that Bellingham – and others – would have to fight for their place and that he was undecided.
However, it was Bellingham, who has the number 10 shirt in the squad, who got the nod for the Three Lions’ final warm-up game. After the match, Tuchel was asked if the XI that started against Costa Rica would do so against Croatia, in England’s first Group L clash; he replied with just one word: “maybe”. He insisted that he would be keeping his cards close to his chest but the feeling was that it was maybe erring towards probably.
England Starters Vs Costa Rica
| Squad Number | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Pickford | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Nico O’Reilly | Left Back |
| 5 | John Stones | Central Defender |
| 2 | Ezri Konsa | Central Defender |
| 24 | Reece James | Right Back |
| 4 | Declan Rice | Defensive Midfielder |
| 8 | Elliot Anderson | Defensive Midfielder |
| 18 | Anthony Gordon | Left Attacking Midfielder |
| 10 | Jude Bellingham | Central Attacking Midfielder |
| 20 | Noni Madueke | Right Attacking Midfielder |
| 9 | Harry Kane | Striker |
The one obvious omission from the 3-0 win in Orlando was Bukayo Saka. His Arsenal teammate, Noni Madueke, got the nod on the right, with Tuchel having previously said that Saka’s fitness had to be managed carefully. Saka was playing through the pain barrier with an issue with his Achilles, according to his national coach.
Saka is very important to this England team and so resting him in this friendly certainly made sense but it may be wise to let him recover further in the early stages of the competition to ensure he can compete at the business end of things. Of course, it would be complacent to assume the Three Lions will automatically make it that far, but the right-side attacker is always available off the bench if required. He played the last 26 minutes in Orlando.
Six changes for the #ThreeLions as we pass the hour mark 🔄 pic.twitter.com/pxsOckyGhA
— England (@England) June 10, 2026
One of the other big talking points about the XI named to face Costa Rica was that Anthony Gordon, now of Barcelona, got the nod on the left, ahead of Marcus Rashford, also of Barcelona. The Catalan giants recently signed Gordon, and it remains to be seen whether Rashford, who was on loan in Spain, joins them permanently or returns to Old Trafford.
Most of the other positions on the pitch have fairly well-established number ones. That is certainly the case down the spine of the team, with Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice and Harry Kane all certain to start. Elliot Anderson is also pretty much assured of his name on the team sheet, while it is clear that Reece James is his coach’s preferred right back if fit. All of those players started here, as did Nico O’Reilly, who increasingly looks like the first choice at left back.
Aside from Bellingham v Rogers and Gordon v Rashford, the other big decision for Tuchel seems to be at centre back. He is a huge fan of John Stones and if the former Man City man is fit, he will probably start, but Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa are probably fighting for their spot alongside him. Konsa and Stones began the match against Costa Rica, with Guehi replacing Stones after 63 minutes and Jarell Quansah coming on for Konsa eight minutes later.
Big Win and Good Performance as Competition Yields Results
England scored after just nine minutes against their Central American opponents, albeit well over an hour after the scheduled kick-off time. The rain had not dampened the fire of the men given a starting position, and Gordon assisted Rice for the first goal of the night. The former Newcastle man was excellent all night and if this was an audition, he certainly passed. He scored England’s second, from the spot, after Eberechi Eze’s shot was handled in the area. For a player whose numbers are often questioned, an assist, a goal and a good all-round showing gave the perfect response.
The same is true of Bellingham, who was sharp throughout and whose excellent run led to the penalty award. His passing was crisp and he should have had an assist to his name, but Madueke spurned an excellent chance. On this performance, it seems that maybe Tuchel has performed a managerial masterclass and if a little competition is what it takes to get the best out of Bellingham, Gordon and others, then perhaps the German has played his hand perfectly.
This was the perfect pre-tournament game for England and they delivered the goods. They allowed Costa Rica just a single touch in Pickford’s area, with Anderson and Rice excellent in the middle. Bring on Croatia!