Tuchel: Very Good Team Performance from England, I'm Calm

England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed satisfaction after the Three Lions' 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in their final friendly match before the start of the 2026 World Cup.

"We deserved to win; we should have scored more goals, as we created numerous chances. The mindset, intensity, and energy were all at a very high level. Everyone performed well. It was a very strong team performance. We aimed to reach the next level, and we succeeded – the fans in the stadium felt it. Our counter-pressing was effective, the defense was solid, and the cohesion was excellent – everything was top-notch.

"Tonight reassures me because we are definitely moving in the right direction, and I am incredibly proud of the team spirit. The players who came on made an impact, and those on the bench supported the team. This is exactly what we wanted. We saw many excellent substitutes who were very disappointed not to start. They entered the game and played with the same intensity and quality against a tired opponent – well done to everyone," Tuchel stated after the friendly.

"We clearly demonstrated our identity – our play without the ball, our intensity, our pressing. Today, for the first time, I wanted to see Jude Bellingham in combination with Harry (Kane), Elliot (Anderson), and Declan (Rice) in the heart of the midfield. I know what Morgan (Rogers) offers us in that position; I've seen it so many times. For Jude, this was a first. He embraces these ideas. He has to do it and loves to do it, and it's a part of our game. And he executed it, like everyone else, at a high level," Tuchel added.

"Until now, the atmosphere felt more like pre-season training, like an overseas pre-season camp, and that was good. I think it's enough for the pressure and tournament fever to arrive a little later, because they will come anyway. The pressure will build naturally, it will intensify, but usually, that's what brings me the most joy – that's when you feel alive," the manager concluded.

Finally, Tuchel also praised the England fans who were present at the stadium in Orlando: "There was a wonderful connection between our team and the fans. Today, I felt the energy in the stadium – it was incredible – and I thought: 'Okay, if we can truly play like this and develop as the tournament progresses, and if we maintain the cohesion, brotherhood, and team spirit we showed today, then we will have an incredible connection with the fans, and hopefully, it will be an amazing experience.'