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.





























