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. MLB Jerseys China .The rookie goalie made 36 saves to help the Calgary Flames blank their Pacific Division rivals 1-0 on Saturday following a 48-hour ordeal that included lost baggage, a cancelled flight and a new pair of contact lenses. Cheap MLB Jerseys Free Shipping . "I could have been equipment manager but nooooo" from Lisa on Ice. Season 6, Episode 8. http://www.jerseysmlbwholesale.com/. - Josh Sterk scored twice to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 7-1 rout of the Ottawa 67s in Mondays Ontario Hockey League action. Wholesale Baseball Jerseys . De La Rosa pitched six strong innings to win his sixth consecutive decision, Todd Helton homered and the Colorado Rockies snapped the Los Angeles Dodgers six-game winning streak with a 7-5 victory on Wednesday night. Authentic MLB Jerseys Outlet . “The shootout, theres nothing wrong with it, I think its an exciting part of the game but its just one small aspect,” said Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman. “Its a skill exhibition. If you can get it back closer to regular hockey and have it decided that way; that would be my preference.” “I dont think its a knock on the shootout, I think more of the managers would like to see it end in overtime,” added Washington Capitals GM George McPhee.LONDON -- Just as it did last weekend at Anfield, Liverpool got off to a flying start against Arsenal. But this time, the Gunners weathered the storm. Arsene Wengers team was on the ropes in the early stages of a lively FA Cup tie, until Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a goal against the run of the play. His strike shifted the momentum in the hosts favour and he set up another for Lukas Podolski as Arsenal won 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals on Sunday. Following their 5-1 thrashing at Anfield in the Premier League, when they conceded four goals in the opening 20 minutes, the Gunners got their revenge after surviving another sustained period of Liverpool pressure in the second half. They will next face Everton at home after the Toffees booked their place with a 3-1 defeat of Swansea, while Manchester City will face Cup holder Wigan in a rematch of last years final. "The intensity of the performance pleased me, I am very proud of the way we responded to the huge defeat that we had last week," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, chasing his first piece of silverware since the 2005 FA Cup. Liverpool again looked the stronger team in the early stages. A superb through ball from Steven Gerrard found Daniel Sturridge, but the England strikers low shot was parried away by keeper Lukasz Fabianski. Luis Suarezs flicked pass then picked out Sturridges run behind Per Mertesacker, but Fabianski forced him to shoot wide. "I thought the best team lost. I thought the very least we deserved was a replay," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said. "We probably should have been 2-0 up inside those first six or seven minutes. Going forward we were outstanding. Im disappointed with the goals, the first one in particular was just a long ball into the box." Though Arsenal struggled to keep the ball, Oxlade-Chamberlain put the home side ahead after Liverpool failed to clear a free kick. Yaya Sanogo, making his first start for Arsenal, saw his shot blocked by Gerrard but the ball rebounded for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who confidently slotted home from close range past Brad Jones in the 16th minute. Arsenal was sharper on the ball after the goal but Liverpool remained dangerous on the break, with Suarez combining well with Sturridge on a swift counterattack. Raheem Sterling then showed his speed and technique down the left flank, rounding Carl Jenkinson before his tired effort from a narrow anglle was diverted away for a corner.dddddddddddd Suarez had two more opportunities to put his team level before halftime but Fabianski, having a superb game, dived well to deny his low shot before the Uruguay striker missed the target with a chip from the edge of the box. Suarez went close immediately after the interval when he almost beat Fabianski with a low shot that forced the keeper into a fine reflex save. Arsenal doubled its lead on the next move, a slick-passing counterattack concluded by Podolski, who scored with a clean finish from Oxlade-Chamberlains cutback in the 47th. Arsenal then had a good spell of possession but, after Suarez unleashed a powerful volley over the bar and Mesut Ozil threatened Jones with a low shot, the Uruguay striker won a penalty when Podolski clumsily clipped his ankle in the box. Gerrard coolly converted from the spot to pull one back, sending Fabianski the wrong way in the 59th minute. Suarez was jeered by Arsenal supporters when he went down after a hefty collision with Oxlade-Chamberlain in the box with 26 minutes to go. Referee Howard Webb ignored the visitors appeals for another penalty. Substitute Santi Cazorla should have restored Arsenals two-goal lead in the 73rd when he thumped a volley far over the bar while unmarked from the edge of the box. Daniel Agger had Liverpools best chance to make it 2-2 in the 87th minute, but his header following a free kick from Gerrard just drifted over the top. At Goodison Park, substitute Steven Naismith scored a goal and won a penalty. With the score level at 1-1, Everton manager Roberto Martinez opted for experience when he made a double substitution on the stroke of the hour, with Naismith and Leon Osman replacing Lacina Traore and Ross Barkley. The move paid off as Naismith took full advantage of Neil Taylors back pass to slide the ball into the bottom corner in the 65th minute. Everton was then awarded a penalty after Jazz Richards fouled Naismith, with Leighton Baines converting. Traore had put Everton ahead, back-heeling into the net from close range in the fourth minute before Jonathan de Guzman equalized. Chris Porter scored twice in stoppage time as Sheffield United also advanced by beating Nottingham Forest 3-1. There will be a non-Premier League side in the semifinals as third-tier United will either take on second-division sides Sheffield Wednesday or Charlton Athletic in the last eight. ' ' '