BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- Defying all the doubters, Costa Rica came through perhaps the toughest group of the World Cup unbeaten and on top. Costa Rica followed up its wins over Uruguay and Italy by holding England to a dour 0-0 draw on Tuesday, enough to finish first in Group D. Quite an achievement for a team that was seen as the rank outsider in the first ever World Cup group that contained three former champions. "It wasnt the death group after all -- at least not for us," Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto said. He dedicated the qualification to "those who believed in us and those who didnt." "People started believing after the game against Italy," he added. Uruguay also advanced from the group after beating Italy 1-0. Costa Rica only needed a draw to top Group D and played that way, setting up in a defensive 5-3-2 formation against England. The result gives Costa Rica its best World Cup performance. While Los Ticos reached the knockout stages in 1990, they finished second in a weaker group. Costa Rica will now play the runner-up in Group C in the second round. "We will have to keep fighting," Pinto said. "Whatever happens we are willing to fight." England lost its first two matches to Italy and Uruguay and was already eliminated. England goes home from Brazil without a win after striker Daniel Sturridge missed a number of chances Tuesday. But coach Roy Hodgson thought his team showed spirit against the Costa Ricans, trying to break down a stubborn defence. "We showed today what a good team we can be," England coach Roy Hodgson said. "Apart from the first 10 minutes, I thought we dominated." One of Sturridges best opportunities came in the 65th after a nice one-two with midfielder Jack Wilshere. But the forwards curling shot from the right just missed squeezing inside the far post. Costa Rica had started the match brightly, passing the ball around midfield with ease and making England chase them around. Forward Joel Campbell had an early chance, but his shot from inside the area deflected off Gary Cahill and went just wide in the second minute. Costa Ricas best chance came in the 23rd minute when Celso Borges curling free kick was tipped onto the crossbar and out for a corner by England goalkeeper Ben Foster. But that was about it in terms of attacking for the Costa Ricans and they were happy to absorb England pressure, especially in the second half. Pinto defended his team defensive tactics, saying Costa Rica was also out to attack. "Some people said we would only defend," he said. "No, thats not true. You have seen it. We have been able to attack as well. That is why we are very proud," With nothing to play for, Hodgson made nine changes to the England team, fielding a slew of younger talent, including Adam Lallana, Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw. Englands backup players looked disjointed in the first half, giving the ball away easily and finding it difficult to break through Costa Ricas setup. Wilshere made a fine run down the left in the 12th, setting up Sturridge just outside the area, but the forwards curling shot just missed wide. Wayne Rooney came on as a substitute late in the second half and made an instant impact for England. He found space just outside Costa Ricas area in the 80th, but the backpedalling Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas was able to tip it over the bar and out for a corner. While England showed improvement in the second half, the team just couldnt find a way a through Costa Ricas rearguard. A hardcore group of about 150 England fans stayed in the stands long after the final whistle in an otherwise empty Mineirao Stadium, chanting loudly and jumping up and down. About 25 armed riot police with shields and batons formed a line behind stewards who were urging them to leave. Singing "England Till We Die," the fans eventually left the stands peacefully. ------ Lineups: Costa Rica: Keylor Navas; Giancarlo Gonzalez, Roy Miller, Oscar Duarte, Junior Diaz; Cristian Gamboa, Yeltsin Tejeda, Celso Borges (Michael Barrantes, 78), Bryan Ruiz (captain); Randall Brenes (Christian Bolanos, 59), Joel Campbell (Marcos Urena, 65). England: Ben Foster; Phil Jones, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw; James Milner (Wayne Rooney, 76), Frank Lampard (captain), Jack Wilshere (Steven Gerrard, 73); Ross Barkley, Adam Lallana (Raheem Sterling, 62), Daniel Sturridge. Julio Jones Womens Jersey . Kalish got his first hit since Sept. 11, 2012, when he rapped an RBI triple in the first inning Sunday in the Chicago Cubs 8-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Steve Bartkowski Youth Jersey . – Team Canadas Brooke Henderson carded a 4-under 67 at Craigowan Golf and Country Club to jump into the lead at the Canadian Womens Amateur Championship on Wednesday. http://www.falconsrookiestore.com/Falcons-Kaleb-Mcgary-Jersey/ . Terry came from Boston along with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce but has appeared in just 35 games after a knee injury, averaging 4.5 points on 36 per cent shooting. Evans was a favourite of fans but not coach Jason Kidd, who used him in just 30 of their 51 games. Chris Lindstrom Falcons Jersey .com) - Eric Fehrs goal 42 seconds into overtime lifted the Washington Capitals to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Columbus, halting the Blue Jackets seven-game win streak. Julio Jones Youth Jersey . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries.SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Kevin Hogan threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns, Remound Wright ran for three short scores and Stanford overwhelmed Maryland 45-21 in the Foster Farms Bowl on Tuesday night. On a chilly, windy night in Silicon Valley, the Cardinal (8-5) blew past the Terrapins with the kind of complete performance that had eluded them most of the season. Stanford outgained Maryland 414 to 222 yards and looked right at home at Levis Stadium, only about 11 miles from its campus. It was the most points scored in a bowl game in Stanford history. Maryland missed a chance for its first post-season win since 2010, when it beat East Carolina in the Military Bowl. The Terrapins (7-6) lost three of their final four games. It was a forgettable finale for coach Randy Edsalls team. The Terps travelled about 2,800 miles to play in the $1.3 billion home of the San Francisco 49ers but never really came out of their shells. Outgoing quarterback C.J. Brown moved the offence early, though he was sacked six times and his receivers -- other than star Stefon Diggs -- often struggled to create separation. Brown finished 16-for-28 passing for 214 yards and one interception. He also ran for a late touchdown. Diggs caught 10 passes for 138 yards, Wes Brown ran for a 1-yard TD early in second quarter, and William Likely returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score in the fourth after the game had become a rout. About the only other highlight for the Terps came in the first quarter, when Andre Monroe became Marylands career sacks leader after bringing down Hogan. It was Monroes 25th sack, passing Mike Corvinos mark of 24 from 1979-82.dddddddddddd. While the sun shined across the Bay Area for the last week, the temperature dipped into the 40s at kickoff with a wind chill that made it feel like it was in the 30s -- frosty weather by Northern California standards. The patchy field, where the 49ers logos could easily be seen under the school names painted in each end zone, also made quick movements tricky at the sparsely filled stadium. The Cardinal overcame the conditions -- and the absence of top playmaker Ty Montgomery (sprained right shoulder) for the second straight game -- to end a down season on an upbeat note. Stanford had made a BCS bowl each of the previous four seasons, including back-to-back Pac-12 titles, before falling back in 2014 in large part because of its inefficient offence. Not this time. Hogan, who has yet to announce whether hell return for his final season of eligibility, completed 14 of 20 passes. Wright tied the bowl record for touchdowns rushing and the nations second-ranked scoring defence did the rest. Without Montgomery on the field, nine receivers caught passes. Devon Cajuste (four receptions for 47 yards and two touchdowns) and tight end Austin Hooper (five receptions for 71 yards) led the way. Fifth-year senior Ricky Seale also ran for his first career touchdown -- a 1-yard plunge that put Stanford up 42-7 early in the fourth -- for a feel-good moment to cap the Cardinals season. Stanfords 40-12 victory over Virginia Tech in the 2011 Orange Bowl was its previous highest-scoring post-season performance. ' ' '