BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP):

Costa Rica finished first in what many considered the World Cup's toughest group after a dour, scoreless draw against England.

Costa Rica only needed a draw to top Group D and played that way, setting up in a defensive 5-3-2 formation.

The result gives Costa Rica their best World Cup performance, winning a group that contained three former world champions.

"We will have to keep fighting," Costa Rica coach, Jorge Luis Pinto, said. "Whatever happens we are willing to fight."

England lost their first two matches to Italy and Uruguay, while Costa Rica surprisingly won their first two. Uruguay also advanced from the group after beating Italy 1-0.

England had already been eliminated and will go home without a win after striker Daniel Sturridge missed a number of chances throughout the match.

One of Sturridge's best opportunities came in the 65th after a nice one-two with midfielder Jack Wilshere. But the forward's curling shot from the right just missed squeezing inside the far post.