The England national football team hosted the Costa Rica national football team in their final warm-up match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with England vs Costa Rica serving as an important test ahead of the tournament.
England entered the friendly looking to build momentum and fitness levels before their World Cup opener, while Costa Rica aimed to challenge one of the tournament’s favorites.
The spotlight was firmly on England vs Costa Rica as supporters looked for signs of readiness before the global tournament began.
England vs Costa Rica Team News and Match Context
The buildup to England vs Costa Rica centered on squad preparation and player fitness. England manager Thomas Tuchel welcomed several players back into the squad, including Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke.
Captain Harry Kane was expected to lead the attack as he continued building match sharpness ahead of the World Cup.
Costa Rica arrived without key players Kenneth Vargas and Warren Madrigal due to a disciplinary issue. The visitors instead looked to Manfred Ugalde as their primary attacking threat following Keylor Navas’s international retirement.
Head-to-Head Record
History favored England entering this England vs Costa Rica meeting. England had never lost to Costa Rica in previous encounters.
The teams played out a 0–0 draw during the 2014 FIFA World Cup before England secured a 2–0 victory in an international friendly in 2018.
With the World Cup only days away, this England vs Costa Rica clash provided both nations with a final opportunity to assess tactics, fitness, and squad depth before competitive action begins.
England vs Costa Rica: Three Lions Dominate From Start to Finish
The match began an hour later than scheduled after severe lightning and rain affected conditions around the stadium. Once the action got underway, England national football team immediately took control.
England pressed high and pinned Costa Rica national football team deep inside their own half. The breakthrough arrived in the ninth minute when Declan Rice struck from the edge of the penalty area. His effort took a deflection off a defender before finding the back of the net.
The goal reflected England’s dominance. The Three Lions controlled more than 75 percent of possession during the first half and repeatedly forced Costa Rica into a defensive shape.
Costa Rica struggled to cope with England’s movement and intensity. The visitors received two early yellow cards while attempting to stop counter-attacks and break up attacking moves. By halftime, England led 1-0 and Costa Rica had not managed a single shot.
Gordon and Watkins Seal Comfortable Win
England continued to control the match after the break despite several substitutions from manager Thomas Tuchel. The changes allowed multiple squad players to gain valuable minutes before the World Cup.
The second goal arrived in the 66th minute when Anthony Gordon won a penalty after driving into the box and drawing a foul. Gordon stepped up himself a minute later and powered the spot kick into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
Morgan Rogers forced a strong save from the Costa Rican goalkeeper before the rebound created another opportunity.
In the 86th minute, Ollie Watkins reacted quickest to the loose ball and headed home from close range to complete the scoring.
The England vs Costa Rica contest ended with England fully in control. The England vs Costa Rica result gave Tuchel plenty of positives, with his team looking organized defensively, efficient in possession, and ready for the challenges awaiting them at the World Cup.
England vs Costa Rica Match Results Today: International Friendly Live Score, Updates, Stats