LIVE - Costa Rica 0, England 0: Lackluster first half ends scoreless

England and Costa Rica are all level at 0-0 after 45 minutes in a match that's failed to keep neutral fans on the edge of their seats, with both sides lacking imagination in the final third of the pitch and only registering one shot on goal between them.

It's a scoreline Costa Rica and its fan would welcome after 90 minutes, while England will be desperate to change the scoreless contest in the second half.

Costa Rica were the more promising side in the opening 15 minutes of the match when striker Joel Campbell came close to sending his nation into a frenzy with his shot deflecting off the back of defender Gary Cahill, but went just wide of the goal.

The Central American side were making it tough for the English, spreading the ball with precision crosses designed to stretch the defence and open space on the flanks.

But England, after some jeers from their travelling fans who were growing utterly frustrated with their side, finally came alive in the match. Daniel Sturridge led the English attack with some ambitious efforts towards goal and later claimed he deserved a penalty kick, but replays revealed the referee made the correct decision not to award him.

It was Sturridge who had the Three Lions' best shot on goal when his header from a corner kick sailed inches over the crossbar. Costa Rica, however, claimed the match's best opportunity when his fast-paced, looping free kick beat keeper Ben Foster but didn't have enough dip as it smashed off the crossbar.

England have a slight edge for possession, while Costa Rica have the game's only shot on goal.

Look for the English attacking efforts to increase drastically in the second half as the Costa Rican defence will likely need to continue its disciplined efforts against a side desperate to avoid embarrassment.