England’s 2-1 defeat to Uruguay has put them on the brink of elimination from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but Roy Hodgson’s side could still squeeze into the knockout stages.

Failure to get to the last 16 would be the first time England would go home after the group stages since 1958 or in astonishing 56 years.

However, their fate, of course is in other teams’ hands.

So let’s look what must happen for England to still go through.

1)      Italy must beat Costa Rica on Friday (tonight).

2)      Italy must beat Uruguay on Tuesday, 24 June.

3)      England must beat Costa Rica on Tuesday, 24 June, by such a margin that their own goal difference (currently -2) is better than Costa Rica’s (currently +2) and Uruguay’s (currently -1).

These results would see Italy topping the group with nine points and England, Uruguay as well as Costa Rica would all sit on three points, with goal difference deciding between them.

So it’s clear, England are heavily relying on Italy, the team who beat them 2-1 in their Group D opening game.

If the Azzurri were to beat Costa Rica tonight, England’s hopes would at least be alive for five more days until Tuesday.

However, England has only won one of their last six games at the World Cup, so there is no guarantee that they will beat Costa Rica on Tuesday.

Do you think England will still squeeze out of Group D? have your say in the comment section below.