ENGLAND 2, COSTA RICA 0
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford’s scintillating display against Costa Rica could have catapulted him into England’s starting line up for their opening World Cup game against Tunisia.
The Reds’ striker scored a wonder goal, impressed with his link-up play and was rightly named Vauxhall man of the match.
Former United striker Danny Welbeck also found the net as England had a winning send off for Russia at Elland Road.
Manager Gareth Southgate, whose starting line up looked set in stone after Saturday’s friendly win against Nigeria, suddenly has some selection dilemmas as Rashford and to a lesser degree Jack Butland impressed.
There was a boisterous atmosphere in West Yorkshire as the value of taking England on the road to the provinces was once again underlined.
And England could not be leaving these shores in better spirits after back-to-back victories and also on the back of a 11-game unbeaten run.
Indeed they have lost only twice in 19 games since the defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016 – and they were to giants Germany and France.
Southgate was delighted with the final dress rehearsal for Russia, explaining: “I was really pleased to make 10 changes and keep the fluidity and fluency of our game.
“When I look at the three weeks we have had together, they could not have gone better in terms of preparations tactically and also the togetherness of the group.
“We have had adversity, but it has brought them together and stand-by players Adam Lallana, Jake Livermore and Tom Heaton have embodied that.”
Southgate described Rashford’s goal as a “wonderful, wonderful strike”.
England’s manager added Rashford had been trying too hard towards the end of the season as he cared.
And he told the players they had nothing to prove and it wasn’t a case of the first XI on Saturday and second XI tonight.
He explained: “I said before the game I expected mistakes and, if there weren’t any, there would be a problem.
“I wanted the attacking players to take people on and they produced some of the moments like we saw.
“His goal was world class as was his teasing of defenders. He was not perfect, but he was enjoying his football.
“There are 11/12 players who will be difficult to leave out and I have some difficult and serious decisions to make in a good way.
“I asked the players to give me competition, and I cannot complain when they give it to me.”
It was all change for Southgate in England’s final friendly before the World Cup.
John Stones was the only survivor from the starting line-up against Nigeria at Wembley on Saturday.
Southgate had one last chance to look at his squad players given Saturday’s side was the probable line up for their opening group game against Tunisia.
There was a first cap for exciting Liverpool youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold while Manchester United had two starters in Phil Jones and Rashford and City also a duo in Fabian Delph and Stones.
Costa Rica, who had only played England once before, had Arsenal’s Joel Campbell leading their line, Sunderland’s Bryan Oviedo in their side alongside Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas.
England made a bright start and could have taken the lead when Jones’ header was turned on to the crossbar by the athletic Navas.
The breakthrough came in the 12th minute with a goal out of nothing from Rashford and his picked up the ball almost 30 yards from goal and walloped a shot high into the far top corner, his third England goal, and without question the best..
Jamie Vardy had a great chance to double the lead, but the Leicester striker was thwarted by Navas racing off his line to block.
Costa Rica had a great chance to equalise, but Johan Venegas’ effort was superbly turned away by Butland.
England came close to making it 2-0 early in the second half after Navas initially beat out a shot from Jordan Henderson.
From the resulting corner, Harry Maguire’s header beat Navas, but was cleared off the line by Oviedo.
Southgate didn’t make the first of his five changes until after the hour.
It didn’t disrupt their rhythm and flow as they finally scored a second with 14 minutes left.
A build up down the left saw Rashford and Dele Alli link up and the latter’s cross was headed home by Welbeck, his 17th goal in 40 full England games.
And if England are struggling for goals in Russia, what better than having a proven goalscorer like Welbeck in reserve, assuming he avoids injury that has plagued his career.