World Cup 2026: England cruise past Costa Rica as Gordon stakes his claim ahead of Croatia clash

England delivered a commanding performance in their final World Cup warm-up, sweeping aside Costa Rica with the kind of intensity and cohesion that will encourage fans ahead of next Wednesday's Group Stage opener against Croatia in Dallas. Anthony Gordon was the standout performer, making a compelling case for a starting spot in Thomas Tuchel's first-choice eleven. The winger was sharp, direct, and involved in the most dangerous attacking sequences. Tuchel appeared to show his hand with the lineup, fielding what looked remarkably close to his preferred starting XI for the Croatia match. The caveat, of course, is the quality of the opposition. Costa Rica were outclassed from the first whistle, barely managing to string passes together and spending the entire match in a rearguard action. But even accounting for the gap in quality, England's movement and passing combinations were genuinely impressive — quick interchanges, coordinated pressing, and a sense of collective purpose that has sometimes been lacking in previous tournaments. For Tuchel, the match served as both a tactical rehearsal and a final audition. The German coach now has a week to fine-tune his plans before facing a Croatian side that will present a far sterner challenge. Starting the World Cup with a win in Dallas is crucial for building momentum in what promises to be a fiercely competitive group. England remain among the tournament favorites, and this display suggests they may finally have the collective chemistry to match their individual talent. The real test, however, begins on Wednesday.