World Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 36,104

International Friendlies

Jun 7, 2018 at 8pm UK

England
2-0
Costa Rica

Rashford (13'), Welbeck (76')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Gareth Southgate: 'Great competition for places in England team'

By Mark Langshaw, Reporter

Published: June 7 2018 | 22:41

Last updated: June 10 2018 | 09:34

England boss Gareth Southgate says that there is "great competition" for places in his England World Cup squad.

England boss Gareth Southgate has admitted that there is intense competition for places in his starting XI following the Three Lions' 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in their final World Cup warm-up match.

The head coach made 10 changes to his lineup for the friendly, and players including goalscorer Marcus Rashford impressed.

"We have got great competition for places throughout the team - you saw that tonight," Southgate told ITV.

When pressed on whether he has finalised his starting XI for England's World Cup opener against Tunisia, the former defender said that he is planning to "sleep on it".

"I might sleep on it," he added. "If it's complicated, it's in a really good way. We need options. We seem to have got through the two games without serious injuries and we have given ourselves a really good platform."

England will also face Belgium and Panama during the group phase in Russia.