Harry Kane and World Cup game-changer Jude Bellingham get 9/10 but England star gets shock 1/10 rating

Jun 11, 2026 - 00:45

All roads lead to Arlington, Texas for a much-improved England.

The Three Lions signed off their World Cup warm-ups with a dominant 3-0 win over Costa Rica on a day where wet and windy conditions initially threatened to derail the match altogether.

England players gather on sidelines against Costa Rica — This was much more like it from England, who meant business in Orlando

After kick-off was delayed by an hour, England made up for the lost time, as well as a lethargic performance against New Zealand last weekend, as they flew to a 1-0 lead through Declan Rice’s close-range strike on nine minutes after good work on the left by Anthony Gordon.

Noni Madueke had a moment to forget when he failed to double England’s lead later in the first half as he fired the ball back-off the post despite having an open goal to aim at after rounding Costa Rica goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira.

There was no fluffed lines from the man starting on the other flank with Gordon smashing home a penalty in the second half after Fernan Faerron blocked Eberechi Eze’s goalbound shot with his elbow.

Substitute Morgan Rogers should have added to their lead when he put the ball wide after being played through by Eze but Ollie Watkins sealed the easy win as he nodded in on the rebound after a long-range strike was parried straight into his path.

Manager Thomas Tuchel will leave Orlando, Florida, feeling optimistic about the performance level of his players with England showing they mean business.

Their next outing is when it really matters as they face Croatia in their World Cup opener next Wednesday, live on talkSPORT.

Every player apart from Ivan Toney got a run-out against Costa Rica and talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham has given his player ratings for all the players that started the game – as well as a selection of players who came on.

‘Concentrate mate!’

Despite an assured performance for England, we begin on a negative note.

For England’s No.1 in Jordan Pickford, it’s a shock 1/10 rating by Durham.

Pickford wouldn’t have been out of place joining the fans sat next to their own personal tables on the front row but one sloppy moment by him almost cost England a needless goal.

Jordan Pickford in action against Costa Rica — Pickford was merely a bystander against Costa Rica but needs to make sure the concentration levels are high at the World Cup

On Pickford, Durham said: “He had nothing to do and still almost gifted Costa Rica a goal. Concentrate mate!”

‘The real deal’

Rice got himself on the scoresheet but Elliot Anderson’s presence on the pitch undoubtedly frees the Arsenal star up to bomb forward.

The Nottingham Forest midfielder kept England ticking over in the middle of the park, earning him an 8/10 rating, while the more creative players worked their magic further forward.

Durham’s in no shock that Manchester City are prepared to pay a record fee for a British player to sign Anderson, as the talkSPORT host said: “This guy – the real deal. Sort your transfer to City out ASAP and then focus on the World Cup.”

Elliot Anderson warms up before England's friendly against Costa Rica — Anderson is more unassuming compared to the other stars in the England team but he will play a vital role at the World Cup

‘Could win us the World Cup’

Jude Bellingham may just have settled the debate over him and Morgan Rogers.

While he didn’t score, Bellingham showed his class in abundance, and would’ve had an assist had Madueke not left his shooting boots at home.

The Real Madrid star surely starts ahead of childhood friend Rogers against Croatia and Durham believes Bellingham could be the missing piece in ending 60 years of hurt, saying: “He could win us the World Cup.”

As well as Bellingham, captain Harry Kane earned a 9/10 rating, with Durham purring at a mesmerising pass to Gordon in the first half which appeared to earn England a penalty, only for VAR to get involved and briefly rain on their parade.