Three Lions World Cup Verdict: Friendly form shows England are ready to fire

Three Lions complete perfect preparation

A storm delayed kick-off in Tampa but the calmness in which England dissected a poor Costa Rica side was worth waiting for.

With just a week to go before their opening World Cup commitment this was, in many ways, the perfect rehearsal, providing lots of positives for Thomas Tuchel and maybe too some reassurance for concerned fans who were buying into the notion that the Three Lions have become overly reliant on Harry Kane for goals. Let's break down those pluses.

Key players given game-time and showed intent

Minutes and acclimatisation were the chief objectives against New Zealand, the quality of the contest reflecting that.

Naturally, both mattered here too but additionally Costa Rica put some spice into the mix, throwing themselves into challenges and 'leaving one on' Gordon and Madueke in particular.

With no injuries to speak of this was - in hindsight at least - only a good thing, sharpening the team for the competitive fare to come.

From a playing perspective the combinations were largely decent, with O'Reilly, Gordon and Rice gelling well down the left while chances were routinely created whenever Bellingham drifted over to assist Madueke.

On those chances, ignore any tutting about a perceived lack of clinical finishing. The angle that counts is that England took on 28 shots and scored three goals. The intent is there.

This leads us to the England Specials market and group goals scored. England converted nine times at the group stage in Qatar and eight in Russia, and it's pertinent that Ghana recently shipped in five against Austria, Croatia haven't kept a clean sheet in six games, and Panama are, well, Panama.

On-point corners suggests Stones is a 13/114.00 goalscorer shout

The trajectory and accuracy of England's corners were excellent last night and perhaps this shouldn't surprise given that Madueke and Saka contributed to Arsenal scoring a record-breaking 19 goals from them last term.

There was variety as well, which is always encouraging to see.

Again, this shouldn't surprise. In-house, England are placing a great deal of emphasis on set-pieces going into the tournament and acknowledging this leads us to a tempting punt for their opener.

Bellingham to start and 4/15.00 Madueke worth backing

For a good while it has felt like a coin-flip between Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham to get the nod against Croatia. After Tampa, the odds have definitely tilted towards the Real Madrid man.

When factoring in his superior quality maybe that was always the case but seeing him control proceedings last night - linking up play and going on a mazy run that produced a penalty - it seems inconceivable now he will reside on the bench next Wednesday. Bellingham to start against Croatia can be backed at 4/61.67

There's a similar debate down the left flank, with Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford in contention.

The Barcelona winger was bang average vs New Zealand but was sharp and impactful across 70 minutes last night. A goal and an assist obviously aids his cause.

Gordon to start was my World Cup nap bet and his most recent display has only assured me of it. He was 11/102.11 then, and remains so.

On the other side, if Bukayo Saka is fully fit, he starts, every day and twice on Sundays.

Thomas Tuchel's comments, however, about carefully managing his Achilles issue offers up pause for thought. In an opening fixture, against the toughest opponent in-group, risks will be kept to an absolute minimum and unquestionably the German likes and trusts Noni Madueke. Back him at 4/15.00.

Predicted starting XI vs Croatia - Pickford, James, Stones, Guehi, O'Reilly, Rice, Anderson, Bellingham, Gordon, Madueke, Kane

England not so reliant on Kane

The main narrative to emerge after the New Zealand training session was that England are too reliant on Harry Kane for goals.

In part, this became a talking point because there was very little else to discuss. Also, it's in our DNA to fret before major tournaments, usually over something soon forgotten about.

Still, to give the narrative some substance. Prior to last night, Kane had scored 41.6% of England's goals under Tuchel in games he has been involved with. In games he hasn't, the Three Lions only converted 1.3 goals per 90.

Of course Kane firing five or six goals in the competition will enhance England's chances no end. But they still need their midfielders and wide-men to produce. That's why Declan Rice's swept finish mattered. And Gordon converting from the spot. And Kane's deputy, Watkins, nodding home.

All of this takes nothing away from Kane's remarkable prolificacy, however, or what an enormous benefit it is. The Bayern Munich ace failed to find the target vs Costa Rica.

He only went two consecutive games without scoring on three occasions throughout the entirety of 2025/26.

Now read Jimmy The Punt's World Cup betting guide here