Costa Rica top Group D with draw

Costa Rica draw 0-0 with already-eliminated England to finish top of Group D at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte.

Costa Rica face Group C runners-up - likely to be Ivory Coast, Japan or Greece - in the last 16 [GALLO/GETTY]

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.

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.

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Costa Rica will face the runners-up of Group C – likely to be one of Ivory Coast, Japan or Greece – in the last 16.

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 defence 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.

Source: Reuters