In Orlando, Florida, England faced Costa Rica in a World Cup warm-up match that was initially threatened by severe thunderstorms. The match, originally scheduled for a 9pm BST start, was delayed by an hour due to heavy rainfall and lightning, which caused significant flooding on the pitch at the Inter&Co Stadium. Despite the adverse weather conditions, local officials remained hopeful that the game would proceed, although safety protocols required the stadium to remain closed for at least 30 minutes after any detected lightning strike. Ultimately, the match went ahead, and England showcased a strong performance. The game began with England quickly taking control, as Declan Rice scored just nine minutes in with a deflected shot. This early goal set the tone for the match, allowing England to dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities. Anthony Gordon, who played a pivotal role in the opener, continued to impress throughout the match, contributing both a goal and an assist. His performance highlighted his growing confidence and importance to the team as they prepare for the World Cup. As the match progressed, England's second goal came from a penalty after Joseph Peraza handled the ball in the box. Gordon converted the penalty with precision, further extending England's lead. The final goal was scored by Ollie Watkins, who capitalized on a rebound to secure a convincing 3-0 victory. This win not only boosted the team's morale but also served as a crucial part of their preparations for the upcoming World Cup. Following the match, England's manager, Thomas Tuchel, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing the importance of securing meaningful match time ahead of their opening group stage encounter against Croatia. The victory against Costa Rica provided a much-needed confidence boost for the players, who will now focus on their upcoming challenges in the tournament. Additionally, the team has a closed-doors practice match scheduled against Miami FC, which will allow Tuchel to finalize his tactical plans before the World Cup begins.