Rashford stakes claim in rousing England send-off
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To Russia with love. England took their final World Cup warm-up game on the road and got the strongest of send-offs – both on and off the pitch.
In the stands at Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium, there were throwback songs to Euro ’96 and “Football’s Coming Home”, a raucous party atmosphere and even pantomime boos for the host of Manchester United players on show. This was Leeds, after all. It was confirmation that England away from the up-for-sale Wembley might well be a very good idea.
One of those United players, Marcus Rashford, then went on to produce such a scintillating performance against fellow World Cup contestants Costa Rica that he made a powerful case for forcing his way into the starting line-up when England’s campaign begins a week on Monday against Tunisia in the heat of Volgograd. It is assumed that Raheem Sterling will be tasked to be the forward player working closest to Harry Kane but Rashford scored a superb goal and contributed to the second, claimed by substitute Danny Welbeck, in a relentless performance. There is, finally, healthy competition.
That was Welbeck’s eighth goal in 12 appearances for England and he confirmed his worth in the squad, a threat from the bench, while there were positives just about everywhere for Gareth Southgate. The manager knows the real work is about to begin, the real pressure is about to kick in but England at least have the semblance of a team with a structure, with a belief and with depth. And, and this is all too rare, they appear to be enjoying it. The shackles were off.
Not least Ruben Loftus-cheek who played with a creative elegance and assurance, and departed having completed every one of the 34 passes he attempted. Considering how high up the pitch the midfielder plays, that was an impressive achievement for the 22-year-old.
There was more. If Southgate’s 10 changes from Saturday’s win over Nigeria suggested that this selection amounted to the equivalent of the British Lions’ midweek “dirttrackers” then claims were pushed for more than that.
Danny Rose, on his return to Leeds, where his career started, and after the day that he made his courageous revelations over his mental health issues, was hugely impressive at left-back and will certainly challenge Ashley Young.
Inside him Harry Maguire did well and – importantly – provides a serious attacking threat from setpieces as shown when he provided a chance for Jamie Vardy and saw another header hacked off the line after beating goalkeeper Keylor Navas. In truth it was not Vardy’s night, not against a team that dropped so deep, that lacked ambition and denied space, and prevented him from running in behind. When the striker was replaced by Welbeck he appeared understandably frustrated.
There was more liberation behind him, with Fabian Delph also doing well and showing his versatility, as he slotted into two midfield positions, while 19-year-old Trent Alexander-arnold will be pleased with his debut, as will goalkeeper Nick Pope. He replaced Jack Butland for his first appearance and then confidently dealt with a dangerous near-post half-volley.
So Southgate has his 3-5-2 formation and he has players contesting places, and another was Jordan Henderson who will know it is between him and Eric Dier, it seems, for a starting place in that opening game. He, too, responded, as did Dele Alli who came on as a substitute – not a role he enjoys, and one he has been distracted by in the past – but made an impact not least in dinking the cross from which Welbeck scored.
Costa Rica are ranked 23rd in the world and go to Russia themselves for a daunting round of Group E fixtures against Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland. Their squad is peppered with Premier League past performers – and Real Madrid goalkeeper Navas – while the postmatch inquest centred on the lack of minutes for the best player, the former Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz who is not fully fit.
They lacked ambition here. That can colour performances and perceptions but England need to brush past that as Costa Rica have proved themselves obdurate opponents in the past but were breached by a moment of brilliance by Rashford.
It involved Loftus-cheek, who played the ball into the 20-year-old. Costa Rica stood off, with defender Francisco Calvo stepping the wrong way, and that allowed Rashford the time and space to strike a 25-yard shot that had the dip and power to leave Navas rooted, beaten and a little embarrassed.
“Wow,” England assistant manager Steve Holland was seen to mouth on the touchline alongside