England fans in Malta were unusually rooting for Italy this evening as the Azzurri faced Costa Rica in a Group D match in Recife.

Prior to the Italy-Costa Rica match, England were still with a chance of making World Cup history and qualify to knock-out stages despite losing their first two matches.

No team has ever made it out of the first stage after two opening defeats since the model of four-team first round groups playing three matches each was introduced in Sweden in 1958.

Following 2-1 defeats by Italy and Uruguay at this year’s tournament in Brazil, England’s slim chances will end today if Italy draw or lose to Costa Rica.

England need Italy to beat Costa Rica and Uruguay and then England must beat Costa Rica to have any chance of qualifying for the last 16.

Costa Rica and Italy have three points after one match, Uruguay have three from two games and England have no points from two matches.

The most famous occasion of a team advancing from the group stage after a poor opening phase was Italy in 1982 when they failed to win a match, drawing with Poland, Peru and Cameroon, and only progressing because they scored one more goal than Cameroon, who also drew their three games.

Italy improved dramatically after that and went on to win the World Cup beating West Germany in the final.

 

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