Gareth Southgate admitted Marcus Rashford had given him a difficult decision to make ahead of the World Cup with a stunning strike in a 2-0 friendly victory over Costa Rica on Thursday.
In England’s last match before their tournament opener against Tunisia in 11 days time, Manchester United’s Rashford was the star of a much-changed side in Leeds.
Danny Welbeck was also on target as England extended their unbeaten run to 10 games, stretching back nearly a year.
“What pleased me most is that Marcus Rashford enjoyed his football tonight. He played with a real swagger,” said Southgate.
Rashford made the most of the absence of England captain Harry Kane as he started up front alongside Jamie Vardy, and showed what he is capable of with a fiercely struck shot from 25 yards that dipped perfectly into the top corner.
“You work on them (goals) in training every day and when one comes up in a game it’s a reward,” Rashford told ITV.
Rashford endured a difficult end to the season at United, scoring just four times in 2018 at club level, and suffering some stinging criticism from Jose Mourinho.
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