Costa Rica vs. England: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info, 2014 World Cup Preview
Even though England came into the World Cup without a great deal of expectation, whoโd have thought that their clash with Costa Rica would be a dead-rubber affair?
Losses against Italy and Uruguay have confirmed Roy Hodgsonโs sideโs early elimination, while Costa Rica have upset the odds by qualifying for the knockout stage.
With nothing to play for in Belo Horizonte for England, Hodgson will likely send out the nationโs young guns to give them experience on the big stage. However, with the embarrassment of three defeats out of three looming large, theyโll need to ignore the magnitude of the occasion and focus on the task at hand.
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Venue:ย Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
Date:ย Tuesday, June 24
Time:ย 5 p.m. BST/12 p.m. ET
TV Info:ย ITV1/ESPN2 (U.S.)
Live Stream: ITV Player/ESPN Player
Young Lions Hoping to Roar
Englandโs first elimination at the group stage of a World Cup since 1958 proved pre-tournament cynics rightโthe English simply arenโt ready for major tournament success.
After the Group D opener that saw Hodgsonโs men lose 2-1 to Italy, though, spirits were high in the England camp.
With some thrilling performances from Englandโs young stars, including Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley, it looked for all the world that England would find a way past Uruguay to keep their tournament alive.
However, it didnโt quite play out that way, meaning that Hodgson can afford to give his young players the chance to shine against Costa Rica.
Speaking with BBC Sport, the England manager revealed that he will be giving his fringe players a chance against Costa Rica, with Frank Lampard replacing captain Steven Gerrard, but said that fans shouldnโt look too far into it:
"If you interpret that as planning for the future I would understand but basically it's not planning the future and it's certainly not sentiment. I'm making certain a group of players I personally believe have done everything they possibly could to give us some success on the field, coming home far too early and bitterly disappointed, get a chance at least to say 'that I wasn't just there for the ride.โ
"
Other changes include Luke Shaw coming in to replace Leighton Baines, who has had a disappointing World Cup and picked up a hamstring injury against Uruguay.
Elsewhere, mercurial midfielder Ross Barkley looks set to start his first match of the tournament having impressed as a substitute in Englandโs opening fixtures with some superb passing and movementโper Opta Joe:
Many will say that the Everton star deserved to have started matches throughout the tournament, but with Hodgson accommodating Wayne Rooney in the side, his chances have been few and far between.
Players past and present took to Twitter to voice how they thought the 20-year-old should have been given his chance against Uruguay, including Michael Owen and Joey Barton:
Barkley now has the chance to impress and make Hodgson lament his team selection throughout the World Cup, but heโll have a tough task against Costa Rica.
Though the Costa Ricans were surprise victors in their matches against Uruguay and Italy, they were good value for both triumphs.
As Opta Joe revealed, they had scored in each of their six World Cup matches against European opposition prior to the Italy clash, and with the form that theyโre in, it wouldnโt be surprising to see them now make it eight:
For England fans, Tuesdayโs match is all about looking to the future. While being knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage is far from ideal, certain players have proven that major tournament success isnโt too far away.
Itโs unlikely that either side will lie down with their respective fates sealed, so expect a tight affair in Belo Horizonte, though Englandโs desire to give their fans something to cheer may just prove decisive.
Prediction: Costa Rica 1-2 England
