England and Costa Rica have a notable history of encounters in international football. The teams have clashed on two occasions, with their first meeting ending in a scoreless draw during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In a subsequent friendly match in June 2018, England secured a 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Danny Welbeck.
England’s Dominance over CONCACAF Teams
England has maintained an impressive record against teams from the CONCACAF region. They remain unbeaten in their last 16 matches against these teams, with 12 wins and 4 draws. During this period, England conceded only four goals, their last defeat coming from the USA in June 1993.
Costa Rica’s Recent Struggles
Since defeating Northern Ireland 3-0 in a friendly in June 2018, Costa Rica has struggled against UEFA nations. They have not won in their last seven matches against such teams, recording 2 draws and 5 losses. In these matches, they conceded a staggering 20 goals, including 11 in their last two outings at the 2022 FIFA World Cup—losing 0-7 to Spain and 2-4 to Germany.
Statistical Insights
| Statistic | England | Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Last 16 Matches vs CONCACAF | W12, D4 | N/A |
| Recent Matches Against UEFA | N/A | D2, L5 |
| Wins Against Top 50 FIFA Ranked Teams | 11 | N/A |
| Goals Conceded Last 11 Matches (Top 50) | 1 | N/A |
| Goals by Harry Kane (Last 11 Matches) | 11 | N/A |
Costa Rica’s Recent Form
Costa Rica enters this friendly after a streak of five winless matches in all competitions, including 2 draws and 3 losses. This downturn comes on the heels of an unbeaten run of 10 matches, comprising 5 wins and 5 draws.
Harry Kane’s Remarkable Scoring Record
Harry Kane has been in exceptional form, netting 11 goals in his last 11 appearances for England. This upcoming match could be his first against Costa Rica. Kane holds the record for scoring against 35 different national teams, significantly more than any other player.
Players to Watch
- Harry Kane – Key goal scorer for England.
- Josimar Alcócer – Notable for assists in recent matches.
As the teams gear up for this friendly, all eyes will be on how England continues its record and whether Costa Rica can turn their fortunes around. The match promises to be an exciting display of international football.
