RIO DE JANEIRO: Wayne Rooney has apologised to England fans for the historic failure after only two matches at the World Cup finals in Brazil.

Italy’s 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica on Friday meant that England will not reach the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time in 56 years. They will ths be playing for pride against Costa Rica on Tuesday fter defeats to Italy and Uruguay in their opening two fixtures.

Manchester United striker Rooney said on social media that the England players were “devastated” to be dumped out of the World Cup at the first hurdle.

Rooney posted a message on his Facebook page that said: “Absolutely devastated to be out of the World Cup.  Going into each game we had great belief in ourselves but unfortunately it hasn’t worked out.

“Sorry to all the fans that travelled and at home that we haven’t done better . . . gutted!”

Rooney says his first World Cup goal against Uruguay was no consolation – “this team is much bigger than Wayne Rooney is” – and is determined as ever to succeed.

“I am really proud to play for my country,” he said. “I never want to pull out of squads, I always turn up and play for England when I am called upon.

“I have no desire whatsoever to stop doing that unless I am told to. I will play for England until I am not selected.”

Playing on

Rooney also offered his backing to manager Roy Hodgson, saying: “He has put a great enthusiasm in the team, a great set of young players, exciting players in place,.

“Make no doubt about it, Roy is the man to take us forward. We appreciate what he has done for us.

“He has, in my opinion, changed the way we have played over the last couple of years and I know the results have been disappointing in the last two games, but as a team we can feel we are getting better.

“I feel with the young lads in the squad, this will help them and hopefully in the future this will make us a better team.”

England goalkeeper Joe Hart also insists that the team remained firmly behind Hodgson.

“Me personally, I speak for the players when I say we are proud to play for Roy Hodgson,” said the Manchester City man.

“He is a great manager, a very passionate man, and someone I have an awful lot of respect for. I hope to continue playing for him.”

Hart thanked the fans for their support and said they could rest assured that the squad had given it their all.

Support acknowledged

“I can’t thank people enough for making this trip to Brazil, for making the efforts at home, for staying up for us, for revolving their work around us,” he added.

“If I wasn’t here myself, I would be doing the same. I can speak on behalf of the lads that we’ve not left anything to chance, we have tried everything.

“We haven’t scored enough goals and let too many in. We are going to dissect it but we have committed our lives to this tournament, thrown everything we can at it.

“We have just not had the main stat, which is results.”

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