ENGLAND fans enjoy every last moment of Brazil 2014 The sun rose for the last time on England's World Cup with a dead rubber at Estadio Mineirao.

Belo Horizonte played host to the game and the eight-hour bus ride from its 'close neighbour' Rio shows the scale of the country that stretches from the equator down to the temperate climates of the southern region.

Outside the ground, once again the affable nature of this World Cup was on display as fans from across the globe mingled with the locals, posed for photos and made the most of the public holiday declared in the city.

As kick-off approached the midday sun bore down on the England contingent, one fan wilting in the sunshine exclaiming: "And this is supposed to be winter?"

The teams came out to raucous support from the red and white end, despite Hodgson opting to play a weakened team which could have rightly disappointed a few.

Clearly for a good number of England fans this was their first game (including me) and they were determined to enjoy the occasion. One banner read; "Flights to Rio £1,200, Enjoying the ambiance £2,000, Accommodation £2,000, Arriving after elimination - priceless".

The mood was sanguine despite England's poor showing as songs like: "We're all going home" and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Lifel" were belted out.

The only moment of poor play came when they neglected to join the Mexican wave and hurled drinks at those who teased about England's elimination. Unfortunately, there always seems to be a minority with the English but for the most part it was all good natured.

On the pitch the contest was even but lacked quality and neither side were able to produce the goal that the vast majority of neutrals craved.

Luckily, this World Cup is about more than football and the atmosphere inside was a celebration of football and national identity.

The England fans stayed till the end and Hodgson led his team over to a warm round of applause from the 7,000 present, many of whom who were physically escorted from the ground by security an hour later after they stayed around to sing.

And the party continued outside to the delight of the locals who were much bemused by the rousing rendition of: "Shoes off if you love England".

They were impressed though, one Brazilian told me: "These are the loudest fans I've ever heard, and I've been to some crazy matches in Brazil!"

And as they conga'd their way into down into a golden sunset across lake Pampulha, it's a shame that England's chapter in Brazil has to come to an end so soon.