It's not often you see a team dominate possession to the tune of 71%, but that's exactly what England did against a lacklustre Costa Rica side, with Gordon's impressive display the icing on the cake.
What Happened
Thomas Tuchel's men made light work of their opponents, with Costa Rica struggling to get a foothold in the game. The visitors' rearguard effort was admirable, but ultimately futile, as England's slick passing and movement proved too much to handle. Gordon, in particular, caught the eye, and his contribution will have given Tuchel food for thought ahead of the World Cup opener against Croatia.
The Bigger Picture
With the World Cup just around the corner, England's performance against Costa Rica will have provided a much-needed confidence boost. The 3-4-3 formation, which has been Tuchel's preferred choice, looked solid, and the team's ability to switch between defence and attack seamlessly will have pleased the manager. It's also worth noting that England's last World Cup warm-up match before the 2018 tournament was also against Costa Rica, which ended in a 2-0 win – let's hope history repeats itself.
The Autopsy
Let's get straight to it – Gordon was the standout performer, and his inclusion in the starting XI against Croatia is now a no-brainer. His pace, agility, and vision on the pitch were a constant thorn in Costa Rica's side, and he linked up beautifully with his teammates. Tuchel's decision to go strong with his line-up also paid off, as the team's cohesion and understanding were evident throughout the match. One area for improvement, however, is the team's set-piece defence, which looked a tad shaky at times.
What Happens Next
As England head into their World Cup opener against Croatia, they'll be looking to replicate this performance and make a statement. With Gordon in this kind of form, they've got a serious chance of making a deep run in the tournament. Here's a bold prediction: England will win their group and make it to the semi-finals, with Gordon scoring at least three goals along the way. And if that happens, we might just see a Summer of '66 reprise – but let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet!