England's campaign at the World Cup has officially come to an end, with the team's elimination from the tournament formally confirmed. The definitive blow to England's aspirations arrived following the completion of the final group match, a fixture that carried critical implications for the standings and ultimately brought a decisive close to their run in the competition.
The match that sealed England's fate saw Tonga battle Samoa in a fiercely contested group-stage clash. Tonga emerged on top by the slimmest of margins, defeating Samoa with a final score of 20-18. That two-point margin of 20-18 proved to be the defining result of the contest, having an immediate and profound impact on the wider tournament picture.
Because this encounter was the final group match on the schedule, the final whistle between Tonga and Samoa settled the remaining questions surrounding group qualification. Tonga's 20-18 victory over Samoa left no remaining fixtures or possibilities for England to alter their standing, solidifying their exit once the result was confirmed.
As the tournament transitions away from the group phase, England are officially eliminated from the World Cup following Tonga's 20-18 victory over Samoa. With the final group match now concluded and the outcomes certified, England's participation in the tournament comes to an end as the competition moves forward without them.