England manager, Thomas Tuchel feels that his team have found “a very high level” after their 3-0 friendly victory over Costa Rica.
Anthony Gordon set up Declan Rice’s ninth-minute opener with a cutback pass, before he netted their second goal himself from the penalty spot after Eberechi Eze’s shot was accidentally handballed by the elbow of Fernan Faerron.
Ollie Watkins wrapped up England’s victory with a 87th-minute rebound header from a deflection of Morgan Rogers’ cross.
“We did very well,” explained Tuchel to UK broadcaster, ITV post match as he felt that they earned the victory with their performance, but wants to see more clinical accuracy in their end product in order to hit fresher levels.
“We deserved to win, we should’ve had more goals, we could’ve easily scored more and we created a lot.
“The attitude, the energy and the intensity was of a very high level. Everyone did well. It’s not about individual players, today was a very good team performance.
“We wanted to have this push to the next level and we clearly got it. Everyone in the stadium could feel it and the reaction of the fans was amazing. We did a lot for it, we worked hard, our counter-pressing was good, the defending, attitude, togetherness – everything was on a very high level.”
Tuchel proceeded to explain that he feels more relaxed about England’s prospects compared to their sloppy friendly win over New Zealand.
“Tonight just makes my mind very calm, because we are on absolutely the right way,” said Tuchel on his feelings about the Three Lions’ trajectory for the World Cup, as they now prepare for their Group L opener against Croatia in Arlington, Texas, on 17 June at 9pm UK Time.
“I’m very proud of what I saw today, the team spirit and the behaviour. The guys who came in were super influential, the guys who came out were pushing from behind. It was exactly what we wanted.
“We saw very good substitutes, who were of course disappointed to not start, but they came in and played with the same intensity and the same quality against a more tired opposition, so well done to everyone.”