Match details » Live commentary Head to head
Costa Rica Tuesday, 24. June 2014
17:00 Clock
England
0:0
goals
none

90'
Halftime Summary:
That was really a game you could've just easily skipped without missing anything. Right from the beginning neither of the teams tried to gain control and create some opportunities. It was rather Costa Rica trying to play as safe as possible, meaning virtually no chances for the Ticos besides Borges crossbar-hit at the middle of the first half. But the Three Lions didn't cover themselves with glory, too. Although Hodgson's team tried to get into the box and create danger, they rarely managed to do so. Instead, for 90 minutes the game consisted of two teams repeatedly losing the ball and not risking anything. 47:53% possession and 4:8 shots (3:3 on target) partly confirm that. Of course, England's starting eleven probably never played in this constellation before, so it's not surprising that the already eliminated Three Lions didn't put convincing attacks on display. But still they had a few chances to score the goal if they just played a little bit more clever. Costa Rica will definitely have to improve in the next round, though their small efforts in today's match may result from the fact of being already qualified for the last sixteen.
90'
Full-Time
90'
England maintain possession and try to get another chance, but their passes just aren't good enough, play continues with a goal kick.
90'
The English and Costa Rican supporters seem to have a conflict on the stance, the Brazilian policemen immediately try to calm down the people - off the cameras, of course.
89'
After Bolaños commits a foul in front of his own box, England get a promising free kick from about 27 metres. Gerrard takes the set piece, but decides to cross the ball rather than shoot it. He almost finds Rooney, but the Manchester United striker misses the header at the left edge of the six-yard-box.
87'
Back and forth, back and forth, the ball is only going back and forth...
85'
The Ticos are handling the ball pretty well, keeping possession without having great difficulties with that task. Really England, that's all you've got?
83'
Nothing spectacular is happening here in Belo Horizonte, the clock is ticking while uruguay have scored in the concurrent game. Of course, this doesn't change anything for Costa Rica.
80'
Rooney has his first attempt with a lofted shot onto the top left corner of the goal! But Navas manages to clear it over the bar.
78'
Well, that's Costa Rica's last substitution for this match! Borges goes off and Barrantes will play in place of him.
78'
Substitution (in) Costa Rica -> Michael Barrantes
78'
Substitution (out) Costa Rica -> Celso Borges
76'
Hodgson brings in another starter, with Rooney coming on the pitch and replacing Milner.
76'
Substitution (in) England -> Wayne Rooney
76'
Substitution (out) England -> James Milner
73'
That's an occasion for the English supporters to cheer up! Gerrard, who probably will play his last match alongside Lampard and maybe even his last international game at all, takes over the captain's armband from the Chelsea midfielder and replaces Wilshere as central midfielder.
73'
Substitution (in) England -> Steven Gerrard
73'
Substitution (out) England -> Jack Wilshere
70'
Sturridge demands a penalty, but actually he just dives and is lucky not to be booked! The striker dashes through the left channel without being fouled by González and then suddenly falls onto the ground without the slightest contact.
68'
Could someone please score a goal to revive this match? Right now it looks like it's dying a slow death.
65'
Jorge Pinto takes Campbell off the pitch, sending Ureña on instead.
65'
Substitution (in) Costa Rica -> Marcos Ureña
65'
Substitution (out) Costa Rica -> Joel Campbell
64'
He should've picked a pass! After playing a successful one-two with Wilshere, Sturrdige finds himself free at the right edge of the six-yard-box. But instead of passing the ball to Sterling, who's standing in the middle, the Liverpool striker shoots with his left foot. Eventually, his curled shot misses the rear post.
62'
Hodgson takes Lallana off the pitch and replaces him with Sterling. Maybe the youngster can stir up things a little bit?
62'
Substitution (in) England -> Raheem Sterling
62'
Substitution (out) England -> Adam Lallana
60'
Giancarlo González (Costa Rica) is shown a yellow card
It seems like the players are looking to collect as many yellow cards as possible. González attacks Barkley with a rough challenge, so this booking is justified.
59'
Costa Rica make their first substitution, replacing Brenes with the usual starter Bolaños.
59'
Substitution (in) Costa Rica -> Christian Bolaños
59'
Substitution (out) Costa Rica -> Randall Brenes
57'
Adam Lallana (England) is shown a yellow card
That's the next illegal challenge conceded by an English midfielder! Lallana commits a really bad foul full of frustration. Rightfully the referee books the Southampton midfielder.
55'
Again and Again play is interrupted since England is increasing their amount of fouls right now. That's really unnecessary since it impedes the flow of the game.
53'
Ross Barkley (England) is shown a yellow card
After an unprecise cross from Lallana doesn't find his teammates in the box, Gamboa gets a hold of the ball and Barkley subconsequently is booked for pulling the Costa Rican's jersey.
50'
Ouch! Shaw gets a rebound under control and fires directly from about 17 metres! His shot is deflected and comes down near Sturridge, who isn't able to make a shot. Instead he only hits Navas with his foot up. The keeper needs some medical attendance, but finally can continue to play.
48'
Shaw is able to dash over the left wing and subconsequently is fouled by Gamboa. The following free-kick is immediately cleared away.
46'
The second half is underway, play resumes without any player changes.
46'
Second Half begins
45'
Halftime Summary:
That was an awful first half! With 51:49% possession and 2:4 attempts (1:0 on target), neither of the teams were able to leave their mark on this game so far. Right off the start it was apparent that the players wouldn't attempt to play offensively, but rather uninspired and harmless. This made the match being pretty boring, with both teams having only one really good attempt. While Sturridge had his best chance in the 12th minute, sending a curling shot onto the corner of the goal, Costa Rica's Borges was just prevented from scoring by the crossbar. But take that away and you only have a game where the one team (Costa Rica) doesn't want to risk anything while the other team (England) apparently doesn't care about the result since they're eliminated already. Hopefully, the second half will show some improvement.
45'
Half-Time
45'
Will England have a better chance of scoring with set pieces? Lampard swings in a free-kick from the right, but he can't find any of his teammates with his cross.
42'
When on the pitch, Barkley always makes a good impression! The Everton midfielder maintains the ball at the left-sided edge of the box and finishes with his left foot. But his attempt goes far off the near post.
39'
That's an absolutely awful and poor performance by both teams! They just pass the ball back and forth, seemingly having no goal or purpose at all.
37'
Lallana plays a long ball onto the left wing and Milner finally crosses the ball into the penalty area. But Navas has no difficulties in catching the ball.
35'
Barkley makes three corners in a row and at least the third one creates quite some danger! The cross coming from the left hand side and onto the right post, is headed back by Jones, who find's Sturridge at the six-yard-box. But the strikers attempt goes over the bar.
32'
Wow, look what he can do! After Ruiz tricks Wilshere with a Marseille roulette, the crowd start to cheer for the PSV Eindhoven striker.
29'
This is really an unsatisfying game so far, whether you're supporting Costa Rica, England or none of the above. Nothing worth mentioning happens, play consists mostly of free kicks and offside positions.
27'
England claim a penalty, but they're wrong! Somehow the ball comes to Sturridge, who immediately is attacked by Duarte and tries to toe poke the ball. But the Costa rican defender is able to regain possession without doing anything illegal.
24'
Subconsequently the Ticos get two corner kicks in a row, with none of them being really dangerous.
23'
Borges' shot just touches the crossbar! After Lallana commits a foul against Campbell, Costa Rica have a free kick from about 26 metres. Borges whips it just over the wall and onto the top left corner, but Foster manages to save for a corner kick.
20'
Somehow you get the feeling that both teams aren't interested in a result other than 0:0. At least it looks that way so far.
18'
Again it's Sturridge blasting a volley from about 24 metres into the stance, but he's out of luck. The striker's left-footed effort goes way off target.
15'
So far neither of teams manage to take over control. England are trying to finish early and even from distance, while Costa Rica is looking for possible counterattacks.
12'
Sturridge almost scores with an amazing attempt! The Liverpool striker scoops the ball just past the right post from about 18 metres. Maybe the former Chelsea player can score his second world cup goal today.
10'
Costa Rica prove to be dangerous with a counterattack! After Lampard loses the ball, Campbell is able to dribble past Shaw and pass it onto Brenes, but the striker is ruled offside.
7'
Mainz 05 wing back Díaz is stopped by Jones' illegal challenge at the left hand side, but the Ticos can't make anything out of the due free kick.
5'
That's really a poor effort! Smalling tries to fire up his team's offense, but his long ball goes straight out of play and game continues with a goal kick.
3'
The following corner-kick comes to nothing, the Ticos can't create any danger.
2'
Campbell has his first effort! The loned-out Arsenal forward shoots from the edge of the box with a left-footed attempt and it's deflected by Cahill's hand behind his back and out of play. Since the defender clearly pulls his arms onto his body, it's not a handball and coherently the Ticos don't demand a penalty at all.
1'
The game starts, which team will emerge victorious?
1'
Kick-Off
Of course England will try to make up for their elimination by showing their supporters a great match before heading home. Costa Rica defender Johnny Acosta seems to think that way, too, since he said that "England will come to show why they're a powerhouse. Here, no player will want to lose three matches and go home with empty hands,"
Following La Sele's victory against Italy, two players from each side underwent doping controls, as usual. But five additional Costa Ricans also had to undergo the procedure, without being officially stated why this happened or which additional players have been called up for the test. This brought former superstar Diego Maradona into play, pointing out that the FIFA would show a "lack of respect for the rules". This is kind of funny if you consider that it was Maradona being tested positive for several banned ingredients at the 1994 WC. Still, the Argentinian advocated the Ticos, asking "why test seven players from Costa Rica and not seven from Italy "?
After England's elimination some people requested the dismissal of Hodgson, but FA chairman Greg dyke made clear that England's head coach will continue his work at least until Euro 2016. Hodgson reacted with a quite confident statemen: "I'm very pleased that Greg and the board have backed me to continue. I think we're midway through a term and there is a lot of work to be done. We're on a good path, I see a lot of possibility for these players to improve and I'm very pleased to be the man leading them. The job means a lot to me. I'm privileged to have it and to work with this group of players." Asked about the criticism against him, the 66-year-old said: "Scapegoats are always necessary in times of failure and I understand that, but I would like to think that you are judged over a longer time."
With Leighton Baines (hamstring) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (old knee problem recurring) being ruled out due to injuries, Hodgson did in fact make nine changes to his starting eleven, leaving only Gary Cahill and Daniel Sturridge on the pitch: "Well, Ben Foster will play in goal, the right-back will be Phil Jones. Gary Cahill will play centre-half alongside Chris Smalling, and Luke Shaw will play left-back. In midfield we will have (James) Milner, (Frank) Lampard, (Jack) Wilshere, (Ross) Barkley and (Adam) Lallana, and Sturridge will play up front." With Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney on the bench, Lampard will take over the responsibility of being captain.
England head coach Roy Hodgson made some changes in the starting lineup for this match, giving the younger players an opportunity to show themselves, as he stated: "I'm going to pick the team with a view that all the players who have been here get some minutes on the pitch. I will be changing the team and giving people who haven't played an opportunity to show what they can do. I will make sure the whole group get a chance to go home and say they weren't here to make up the numbers but actually took part."
Though having probably their easiest challenge in the tournament so far, Costa Rica's assistant couch Paolo Wanchope underlined how important the third match in fact is: "We need to reaffirm what we have done until now in terms of our defensive work, ball possession and creating chances. We need to continue doing that so we are mentally right to be able to give more."
While the Ticos Rica already qualified for the last sixteen with two wins against Uruguay (3-1) and Italy (1-0), England were eliminated after only two games, losing 1-2 to Italy and Uruguay. Because of that, this match has no meaning for the outcome of group D, except if the Three Lions manage to win. In that case Costa Rica could actually only finish second if Italy or Uruguay win the concurrent game. Otherwise Jorge Pinto's team will win the group.
Before the tournament started, everyone focussed on the fact that this group consisted of three former world champions... and Costa Rica. Virtually no one was bargaining for the underdog, thinking that two out of the other teams would proceed to the next round. But as we all know, things turned out quite differently.
Azad Derakhshani will be commenting this match.
Welcome to the group D match between Costa Rica and England!