Costa Rica see off Italy to end England's World Cup hopes

Friday 20 Jun 2014
Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz nets the winner against Italy which sends England out

England's World Cup hopes ended on Friday as Costa Rica beat Italy 1-0 in Recife, thanks to Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz.

The decisive goal came from a header on the stroke of half-time and ensured the Three Lions' will be flying home from Brazil after their final group game on Tuesday.

Moments earlier, Joel Campbell had been taken down inside the box by Giorgio Chiellini, but the referee waved play on. 

However, the Central Americans scored a deserved opener through Ruiz's strike. 

And it was a lead they managed to protect, keeping Italy at bay, to go top of the table and secure their passage to the last-16.

England travel to Belo Horizonte to meet the Costa Ricans in their last match.

By FA Staff