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Costa Rica D group champion

Sports Desk |
Update: 2014-06-24 23:24:00
Costa Rica D group champion

DHAKA: England ended their World Cup campaign with a dour 0-0 draw against Costa Rica, as Jorge Pinto's side clinched top spot in Group D.   

The tournament's surprise package thrilled with skill and ambition in shock wins over Uruguay and Italy that secured their passage to the last 16. 

The pre-tournament outsiders found themselves in the unexpected position of being able to leave plenty in the tank in Belo Horizonte - an admirable achievement that did not make for an engaging spectacle.

Celso Borges had a first-half free-kick touched against the crossbar, while the bulk of England's chances fell to Daniel Sturridge one of only two survivors from the line-up that lost the opening two matches.

The Liverpool striker found the prolific streak he displayed in the Premier League last season to have deserted him, and Roy Hodgson's team could take little from the contest aside from avoiding the ignominy of losing all three World Cup round-robin games for the first time in their history.

The 12th minute brought England's first sight of goal, with Sturridge whipping a shot narrowly wide of the target following bright build-up play by Jack Wilshere, reports goal.com.

BDST: 0924 HRS, JUN 25, 2014

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