England’s World Cup campaign came to a limp end in Belo Horizonte as they drew 0-0 with Costa Rica.
It was never going to be an exciting game with Costa Rica already through to the second round and England already out, but Roy Hodgson did his best to liven things up by making no fewer than nine changes to the starting line-up.
Unfortunately, the changes did not create any sort of positivity as England laboured through a dour game that had a friendly feel to it.
Daniel Sturridge, one of only two who kept their places, was to be guilty of missing most of England’s best opportunities, curling wide from the edge of the box in the first half and shooting low across goal but missing the target in the second half. The latter, he really should at least be drawing a save from the keeper.
Arsenal’s Joel Campbell, one of the stars of the tournament so far, was always buzzing in and around the England back four and had Costa Rica’s best chance.
Ben Foster in goal had a sound game, claiming crosses confidently and showing good handling from some long distance shots.
Gerrard, Rooney and Sterling were all introduced as subs later in the game but none could lift the poor England performance. The game finished goalless, and as painful as it is to be out, there’s a sense of relief that the torment has finished following the days of media fall-out from the Uruguay game.
England boss Hodgson was remarkably upbeat afterwards. He said: "I take positives - this was a banana skin. To get that display was great since for many it was new,"
"This is a very different team to the one at Euro 2012. We play different football. We pass the ball much more. We ask a lot more in terms of receiving the ball, turning with the ball," Hodgson told BBC Radio 5 live.
"And in the final third we try things and take risks. The type of players we are choosing - in Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge - it's clear that's our aim and hope."
Hodgson was also hopeful that veteran midfielders Gerrard and Lampard may yet stick around, despite Lampard's tears at full time suggesting it won't be the case.
"I hope they don't make a bold statement that [former captain and defender] John Terry did after Euro 2012 when he said 'I am retiring from international football'," said Hodgson.
"I'd like them to keep a dialogue between us. They know I'm never going to push them or put under pressure if it's not right, but it's nice to know they're available."
Quotes from BBC Sport