England: Backup brigade burn bright in final tune-up before World Cup

England v Costa Rica was a replay of a group game from the last World Cup when England’s A team could manage only a point. Southgate played a “B” side yesterday, who showed up to beat a Costa Rican first-team, dispelling doubts over England’s squad strength.

The Three Lions’ team contained a lot of players who haven’t had a lot of first-team football for their Premier League clubs this season. Criticism in the past has been that English club’s multi-cultural approach in the Premier League has detracted from the national team’s performances. An issue is that some of the players who starred yesterday still aren’t getting game time with their clubs.

But instead of being rusty, these Young Lions were hungry to prove what they could do. They beat Costa Rica 2-0 at Elland Road in their final World Cup tune-up. Let’s look at the players that strutted their stuff against Los Ticos.

Marcus Rashford

Without a doubt the headline act of England v Costa Rica, Rashford played with freedom and desire, expressing skill, pace, and an incredible goal. His performance will definitely put him in consideration for the first eleven against Tunisia on June 18th. In my opinion, that is fully deserved.

Having played a backup role after a breakthrough 2016/2017 season, Rashford must be considering his Manchester United future. Despite being a Mancunian, the priority for a player with such potential must be first team football. If he lights up the World Cup, he will give himself better opportunities if he is to move away from Old Trafford.