England finish World Cup prep with win over Costa Rica

Having been given some extra time off following Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool, Ronaldo made his 150th worldwide appearance for Portugal.

Vardy was watched like a hawk by the Costa Rica defence and although he looked sharp enough before making way for Danny Welbeck in the 61st minute, he played second fiddle to Marcus Rashford, who was England’s standout player on the night.

The Duke of Cambridge started his visit by chatting with England manager Gareth Southgate and team captain Harry Kane before posing for a photo with the whole squad.

He was also adamant he would not pick players who had not proved themselves fully fit over the final couple of months of the season.

“He’s still learning the game, really, which I know sounds freakish because he is now an England worldwide, but he has so few league appearances that he is incredibly raw”.

“I feel in good physical form leading up to the tournament”. It’s better for me because I’m more ready than I was then. I’m improving, getting better all the time.

There were ten changes from the 2-1 win over Nigeria on Saturday – John Stones the only survivor – as Southgate shuffled his pack with just 11 days to go until the big one.

That proved to be the final piece of goal-mouth action in the half as England ended their World Cup preparations on a high.

However, he is ready to move on now, and claims the chance to create history on the global stage is an ideal way to draw a line under his European dismay. I think the general patterns and defensive side of the game was good, movement of the ball was good, we looked a threat. “It will always be there because it hurts so much. His communication with the players is one of his greatest strengths – he never messes you around, so you know where you stand and that’s been the case since he called me to say I wouldn’t be in the 23”. So think it can help.

AFC Fylde chairman David Haythornthwaite was caught up in an “onslaught” two years ago when England fans were targeted by foreign hooligans and hopes to travel to Russian Federation if England get through to the last 16.

Rashford in particular shone, scoring a sensational goal playing with a “swagger” that impressed Southgate, a world away from recent performances at his club, Manchester United. That’s what’s best for the England national team and us as individuals.

“You can see that a lot of the lads are confident”, said Henderson.

During his 57-cap career, Southgate also played under Glenn Hoddle at the France ’98 World Cup, Kevin Keegan at Euro 2000 and was in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s squad at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.