Fifa World Cup 2014: Costa Rica top 'Group of Champions'

Costa Rica marched into the second round of the World Cup proudly top of a Group D containing three former winners after a 0-0 draw with already-eliminated England on Tuesday.

The 'Ticos', assured of progress before kickoff, comfortably held their own against an England team showing nine changes from the team beaten by Uruguay in a game short on goalmouth action or any real tension.

Costa Rica will face the runners-up of Group C - likely to be one of Ivory Coast, Japan or Greece - in the last 16. Uruguay finished second on six points with Italy on three and England, in their worst World Cup showing since 1958, on one.

"We played a very sure, dynamic game," Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto, whose team beat former World Cup winners Uruguay and Italy in their other games, said. "I have enjoyed the three games. We're unbeaten, it's historic."

"Now we're going to prepare our best. First, a bit of rest."

The confident Central Americans showed their attacking credentials from the start with forward Joel Campbell seeing his deflected shot sail narrowly wide.

England struggled to find their footing with the Costa Ricans a step quicker to the ball but Jack Wilshere showed some urgency when he burst through the defense to set up Daniel Sturridge but he fired wide after 12 minutes.

Their opponents responded with a close call of their own when Celso Borges's curling freekick was tipped on to the crossbar by keeper Ben Foster.

The atmosphere in the 57,000-crowd at the Mineirao was subdued with only the small contingency of Costa Rican fans making some noise and their English counterparts playing with beach balls until they were confiscated.

There were also minor scuffles in the stands as frustration among English fans grew but they were quickly dealt with by stadium security.

"It's hollow," said England coach Roy Hodgson. "We showed today what a good team we can be. I'm so disappointed not to finish with a victory but I don't think I could have asked for a better performance.

"Today I think we were really unlucky not to win this game. I'm pleased we've given the fans something to cheer about in terms of our performance."

England improved in the second half with some better passing moves and Sturridge again went close with a low drive.

Wayne Rooney of England applauds the supporters following the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Costa Rica and England at Estadio Mineirao on June 24, 2014 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (GETTY)

Wayne Rooney, a late substitute, tested keeper Keylor Navas with an 18-metre chip but the 1966 World Cup winners' last stand in Brazil did little to lift their spirits after yet another disappointing performance.

SORRY CHAPTER

Millions of words were written before and after England's campaign but any analysis of their dismal tournament boils down to seven of them: they were just not good enough - again.

England played well enough in parts in the 2-1 defeat by Italy, and were undone by the superb opportunism of England's Footballer of the Year from Liverpool, Luis Suarez, who scored Uruguay's goals in their 2-1 win in Sao Paulo last Thursday.

But ultimately there was not enough quality or self-belief, or faith from coach Roy Hodgson in his youngsters when it was needed most. Some of Hodgson's tactics were questionable and, though widely liked and respected, his future must be in doubt.

Tuesday's disappointing 0-0 draw against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte brought the sorry saga to an end, but the depressing, story of failure that stretches back 48 years to their only World Cup win in 1966, shows no sign of a fresh plot twist yet.

At least, for once, England did not leave home being hyped as potential winners, and Hodgson's squad selection, with the exception of some debate over whether 33-year-old Ashley Cole or Luke Shaw, 18, should play at left back, was uncontroversial.

But what was so disappointing was that Hodgson did not give the youngsters, apart from Raheem Sterling, 19, a real chance to make an impression when England were still in contention.

Against Italy, England had already been trailing 2-1 for 23 minutes before the creative Jack Wilshere, 22, replaced the anonymous Jordan Henderson with 17 minutes to play.

Winger Adam Lallana, 26 years old but a novice in terms of international experience, was given the last 10 minutes to try to change the game and England's powerful creative midfielder Ross Barkley, 20, got nine minutes.

Inexplicably, Hodgson chose the same starting XI against Uruguay with just one positional change up front, with Wayne Rooney playing in the center and the ineffective Danny Welbeck playing wide on the left.

Sterling started brightly but faded against Uruguay until being replaced by Barkley with under half-an-hour to play, Lallana got less than 20 minutes and Wilshere was not used.

Meanwhile, an ageing and tiring Steven Gerrard, now 33, labored in midfield and lost the ball that allowed Italy to break for their winner, while against Uruguay he bungled an attempted headed clearance that led to Suarez's winner.

SUICIDAL DEFENDING

Those errors followed earlier suicidal defending by central defenders Gary Cahill versus Italy and Phil Jagielka against Uruguay.

Cahill allowed Mario Balotelli to slip away from him to head what proved to be Italy's winner in Manaus, while Jagielka was guilty of a similar error to allow Suarez to head Uruguay's first goal in Sao Paulo.

There were some bright spots for England but too few to give them any chance of reaching the last 16.

Rooney scored his first World Cup goal and looked effective back in his preferred central role.

Sterling showed glimpses of his potential, while Daniel Sturridge, who scored against Italy, looks worth his place in attack. Joe Hart was as sound as any keeper at the finals.

But terrible defending, and a lack of faith in his own convictions from Hodgson, proved fatal and means England's long wait for glory goes on.

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