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Football

07th Jun 2018

Ian Smith comes on for Costa Rica, Football Twitter goes wild

Football Twitter loves Ian Smith

Simon Lloyd

Football Twitter is a funny old place

We were reminded of that once again on Thursday night as England played their final World Cup warm-up game on home soil.

Costa Rica were the opponents in Leeds and were beaten 2-0.

But that’s not why you’re here, is it? No. Instead, you’re here for Ian Smith.

With around 20 minutes of the game still to play, Costa Rica brought the 20-year-old defender on as a substitute. No big deal, you might think, but on Football Twitter it was a big deal.

Amused by the fact the Central American nation had the most English-sounding player on the Elland Road pitch, those watching tweeted about Smith so much that his name was soon trending on Twitter. It remained this way for hours after the full-time whistle, too.

https://twitter.com/_omeara_r/status/1004823962533187584

https://twitter.com/LuceFord_/status/1004823192811266048

https://twitter.com/callumhorgan_/status/1004822933372579841

https://twitter.com/marty_robo/status/1004669952220114945

https://twitter.com/ellison_tate/status/1004823003216138241

https://twitter.com/ZA_1888/status/1004823012619808770

Ian Smith, remember the name. We wouldn’t bet against it trending again if he gets any minutes against Brazil in Costa Rica’s World Cup opener a week on Sunday.

As for the game itself, England put in a decent performance. Marcus Rashford was particularly impressive, capping his display with an impressive early long-range opener. To make absolutely certain of the victory, Danny Welbeck, on as a substitute, headed home England’s second late on.