I like a comment in the Guardian that you can’t really blame England. We were caught out by that promising Uruguayan newcomer, Sanchez was it? Sorry, Suarez. He’s quite a find. Had we known how good he is we may have been able to work on some plan to contain him.
Good point. I bet Premiership clubs will be scrambling to sign him, too, once they find out what club side he plays for.
Yes, you’re quite right - Costa Rica’s goal difference is currently +2, England’s is currently -2, Uruguay’s is -1. So if Italy beats Costa Rica 1-0, and also beats Uruguay 1-0, and England beat Costa Rica 1-0, you would have Italy on 9 points and the other three teams all on 3 points, but Costa Rica would go through with a goal difference of 0 (England -1, Uruguay -2). My supposition is only true if Italy win by 3 goals or more tonight, which seems unlikely, but we can hope. Once tonight’s result is known, it will be clear what (if anything) England can do to remain alive.
Having done it (at the lowest of lowly amateur levels), I concur that the linesman’s job is a tough one. Frequently I would try to watch the line and listen for the sound of the ball being kicked to make the decision, as if the pass is being delivered from 50 yards, it’s very hard to adjust from watching the ball to watching the line. Of course that introduces a delay due to the speed of sound, but I figure that is well within my margin for error anyway. Mind you, I had no formal training and I doubt that is an approved method.
Having said that, the referee’s job is tougher as he has to know all the laws inside out, cover the entire pitch, deal with disputes, etc. Of course, at the professional level all the linesmen are also fully qualified referees. There are training courses for referees but no academy as such, as far as I know. Virtually all referees are amateurs (as in they have other jobs), except at the very top.
Nate Silver gives England a 4% chance of advancing:
Has there been any talk about a unified UK team for international competitions? I’m sure England’s (UK’s) chances would have been greatly enhanced with Gareth Bale on the team.
Would only happen over many people’s dead bodies.
Not to mention Aaron Ramsey.
Everyone knows you’d be able to assemble a superior side that way. But it will never happen.
Sorry England, it looks like Costa Rica are the real deal. ITA 0-1 CRC at 44’.
Whoa Costa Rica. That would end England’s chances of moving on, no, if CR win? BTW are there a lot of American fans there chanting USA USA? Or am I mishearing that?
Re: UK team, it’s not the English that would benefit most, they are in most final tournaments as it is. It’s the other countries in the UK that would finally get to go.
If Costa Rica tie or win, England would be eliminated.
Ok, we must be in a different universe, I will have to go to the lab to check if the Neutrinos are mutating. 
I heard that too. I’m guessing because USA play Germany in Recife.
The English team visited an orphanage this morning. “It was heartbreaking to see all those sad faces with no hope”, said Jose, age 6.
Glad to see Goal Line Technology proving its worth. C’mon, Costa Rica, hang on!!!
And England are eliminated.
No one can seriously be surprised that England is out.
Good for Costa Rica. I’m liking them and Chili.
I hate to see England go, but
¡¡HOLY SHIT LOS TICOS!!
.
So sad that England are out, but well done Costa Rica! CONCACAF represent.
From the “Group of Death” to “Pura Vida!” Congratulations to Costa Rica from another Central American. 
¿Con carne, o sin carne?
Yep. Got to give credit to Roy Hodgson. Knowing how England fans dread penalty shootouts, he has skilfully charted a course that avoids them entirely.
Hats off to Costa Rica, though, they deserve it. Italy looked knackered at the end, but it must be boiling hot in Recife in the middle of the afternoon. Uruguay vs. Italy for the other place should be good.