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England OUT of the World Cup 2014 as Costa Rica beat Italy 1-0

Roy Hodgson's men crash out with a game still to play

Charles Reynolds
Saturday 21 June 2014 08:58 BST
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Down and out, Wayne Rooney slumps to the ground after England's 2-1 defeat to Uruguay
Down and out, Wayne Rooney slumps to the ground after England's 2-1 defeat to Uruguay (Getty Images)

After four years of expectation and hope, England's World Cup dream is over once more.

For Roy Hodgson's side elimination has come at the earliest possible moment in the tournament, with one group game still to play, their worst showing in a World Cup since 1958.

However after a spirited performance in in their opening-game defeat to Italy and a rather less convincing loss to Uruguay, it is not something that comes as a shock to England fans who have been resigned to their fate since last night.

England needed Italy to beat Costa Rica to give them any hope of progressing, but the Central Americans took a first half lead through former Fulham man Bryan Ruiz and Italy never found a way back into the game, losing 1-0 and also ending English dreams for four more years.

Meanwhile England boss Roy Hodgson has said he has no plans to resign, despite his side's very early exit from the tournament.

"I don't have any intention to resign," said Hodgson, 66. "I've been really happy with the way the players have responded to the work we've done."

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