Italy's shock 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica resulted in England crashing out of the World Cup at the group stage for the first time since 1958.

It is a bitter disappointment for England given the pre-tournament hope and meticulous preparations, raising serious questions as to what on earth went wrong.

Here, Press Association Sport's Simon Peach pinpoints five things that contributed to England's early exit in Brazil.

LEVEL OF OPPOSITION

Four-time world champions Italy and 2010 semi-finalists Uruguay were never going to be easy Group D rivals to overcome and so it proved. England pushed the Azzurri close before losing 2-1, and then fell by the same scoreline with no such honour against Luis Suarez-inspired Uruguay on Thursday.

RILING SUAREZ

Roy Hodgson has been reserved and considered throughout this tournament, with perhaps his only slip costing England. The Three Lions boss declined an invitation to describe Luis Suarez as a "world-class" forward who was in the same bracket as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - comments the striker credited for giving him the extra determination in Sao Paulo after his brace.

DEFENCE

England had not lost on any of the 13 occasions Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka played together before the World Cup, where that run came to a crashing end. Both have struggled at the heart of defence, while the full-backs have not fared much better. Their inability to keep tight at the back has arguably been the biggest reason for their exit.

POOR SUBSTITUTIONS

Rickie Lambert offers something different to England's other strikers and that is the whole reason he was brought to Brazil. So, with that in mind, why throw him on with three minutes to go when losing a crucial second match? His earlier introduction would have given England a much-needed different option against Uruguay, with the same going for Adam Lallana and Ross Barkley. The unused James Milner's energy and discipline would not have gone amiss after bringing the score to 1-1 as well.

NOT KEEPING TO THEIR GUNS

Raheem Sterling shone in the promising, if ultimately frustrating, defeat to Italy, only to be switched out wide against Uruguay. Yes, it got Wayne Rooney into his favoured position but why make such a bold move only to renege on it days later? Roy Hodgson had so many attacking options but did not utilise them properly.

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