Gordon scores penalty and sets up Rice as England ease past Costa Rica 3-0

Anthony Gordon capped a man-of-the-match display with a penalty as England wrapped up their World Cup preparations with a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in Orlando. The Barcelona winger assisted Declan Rice’s ninth-minute opener before converting from the spot just after the hour mark for his third international goal.

Gordon was quick to admit he had been watching for captain Harry Kane’s substitution before volunteering to take the penalty. “I was buzzing H was off,” he told ITV Sport. “I was looking round to find him. When I knew he was off, I wanted to take it. I love penalties and I love the pressure of them so buzzing to see that one go in.”

England manager Thomas Tuchel clarified the slight confusion over who should have stepped up. “Anthony was the second taker behind Kane,” he said. “This is normally on the wall. It was not on the wall here. So it was a bit of a miscommunication, but it was our responsibility, so we needed to do it verbally — no problem.”

With their World Cup opener against Croatia now six days away, Tuchel reflected on a camp that has felt more like a pre-season than the build-up to a major tournament — something he sees as a positive. “I think it’s enough if the pressure and tournament pressure comes a bit later, because it will come,” he said. “The tension will come naturally.”

The German coach was encouraged by the atmosphere inside the stadium and what he believes it signals for England’s connection with supporters during the tournament. “I felt today the energy in the stadium was amazing,” Tuchel added. “If we can really play like this and grow into the tournament and have this kind of cohesion and brotherhood and team spirit that we showed today, then we will have an amazing connection with the fans.”

Tuchel acknowledged that the full weight of the occasion has yet to land, but expects that to change quickly once competitive football begins. “Once the ball is rolling and games are already there, then I will feel it,” he said. “The tension will grow but normally the stuff that I personally enjoy the most — then you feel that you’re alive.”