England seek to save face

ENGLAND return today to Belo Horizonte, scene of the country's greatest sporting humiliation, where they will attempt to restore pride against Costa Rica after another chastening World Cup experience.

Belo Horizonte's Estadio Independencia provided the setting for England's sensational 1-0 loss to the part-timers of the United States at the 1950 World Cup.

Sixty-four years on, England are braced for another day to forget in the city, although with today's game taking place at the Estadio Mineirao, they will at least be spared a reunion with the ghosts of 1950.

Roy Hodgson's side had hoped to be heading into their final Group D fixture vying for a last-16 place, but their tournament is already over after consecutive 2-1 defeats by Italy and Uruguay.

Instead, it is Costa Rica who have secured a berth in the knockout phase, thanks to stunning wins over the two teams who accounted for England, and the Central Americans now require a point to claim top spot.

Costa Rica have become one of the stories of the tournament after stunning Uruguay 3-1 in their opening game and then edging Italy 1-0 in Recife on Friday – a result that confirmed England's elimination.

But centre-back Johnny Acosta says they cannot afford to ease off against England. "No player will want to lose three matches and go home empty-handed." – AFP