EXPERTS have hailed it as the best World Cup for decades.

Not since the legendary Brazil side of Pele, Jairzinho, Gerson and Carlos Alberto claimed the trophy in Mexico in 1970 has there been such a feast of attacking football at the planet’s biggest soccer tournament.

Thrilling matches, goals galore, scores of talking points and the carnival atmosphere have kept football fans across Hampshire glued to the action.

The only disappointment has been the uninspiring early exit of England after defeats to Italy and Uruguay and a goalless draw with Costa Rica.

With the second stage of the tournament due to start today as the last 16 teams standing go head-to-head, we wondered whether the county’s residents will still be watching despite the departure of Rooney, Gerrard, Lallana, Shaw, Lambert and the rest of the Three Lions.

The Daily Echo polled 200 people to ask if they were planning to turn a blind eye to the rest of the competition or if they still had World Cup fever and, if so, who they would be supporting from now on.

Sixty said they had no intention of following the rest of the competition now England have crashed out.

The most popular side left in were England’s Group D winners Costa Rica, who attracted the support of 29 fans, closely followed by hosts Brazil with 26.

Argentina, Germany, France and Holland were also popular but there were no votes for Uruguay, whose striker Luis Suarez scored twice against England and has now been banned for four months for biting an opponent.

WHO ARE YOU SUPPORTING NOW ENGLAND ARE OUT OF THE WORLD CUP?

  • Costa Rica: 29
  • Brazil: 26
  • Argentina: 20
  • Germany: 19
  • France: 15
  • Holland: 13
  • USA: 8
  • Belgium: 5
  • Algeria: 2
  • Chile: 1
  • Greece: 1
  • Nigeria: 1
  • Colombia: 0
  • Mexico: 0
  • Switzerland: 0
  • Uruguay: 0 
  • Not bothered now: 60