Fifa World Cup 2014: 7.2 Million Tweets Sent During England v Italy Game

England captain Steven gerrard and Itaky's Andrea Pirlo swap shirts after the match. (@LFCPhoto) — England captain Steven Gerrard and Italy's Andrea Pirlo swap shirts after the match. (@LFCPhoto)

More than 7.2 million tweets were sent last night during England and Italy's Group D clash in Manaus, Brazil, as fans took to the microblogging site to encourage the attacking verve of Roy Hodgson's youthful team, and express the pain of defeat.

According to data released by Twitter, activity on the site reached its peak after Daniel Sturridge's 37th minute equaliser for the Three Lions, with 219,637 tweets per minute.

Even more stunning is that England's passing accuracy ranks 2nd, just behind Italy, but ahead of Spain, Holland and Brazil. Go boys!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 15, 2014

192, 633 tweets per minute were registered after Claudio Marchisio's 35th minute opener for Italy, while Mario Balotelli's winner in the second half winner drove 148,644 tweets per minute.

Though there was understandable disappointment, many England fans took encouragement from their team's performance , comparing it favourably to lacklustre displays in other tournaments.

Shame about the result but thought England played well. We will still qualify. Believe. pic.twitter.com/AEfWp3fBjX
— Dan Wilson (@DJimmy_Wilson) June 15, 2014

The World Cup is set to become the most tweeted about event in sporting history, according to a study by Adobe systems, with 69 billion social media mentions already.

According to overnight BBC viewing figures, 15.6 million tuned in to watch the match.

Here are some tweets you may have missed.

For what it's worth I think England will go through!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 15, 2014

Phone died. Tweeting this before consensus takes hold. England were brilliant. We wanted them to go for it. They did. Hodgson a hero.
— Dan Hodges (@DPJHodges) June 15, 2014

Saw more entertainment & promise from England in 90 minutes tonight than in the entire World Cup campaign in South Africa four years ago.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) June 15, 2014

Need to stay calm after last night's defeat. England played pretty well. But need some tweaks to team for Uruguay.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 15, 2014

How I'm feeling this morning about the England game....#hmmmmm pic.twitter.com/LP8MtfcNcq
— Jenny Frost (@JENNYFROST22) June 15, 2014

Another reason why England's match was cheering despite the result: no infernal England band.
— Owen Gibson (@owen_g) June 15, 2014

I still think England will qualify from the group- still positive about what we saw tonight
— Philip Neville (@fizzer18) June 15, 2014

Happy how dangerous England looked up front, nervous about how fragile we were in defensive. Despite result, we can build on this #IBelieve
— Johnny Vegas (@JohnnyVegasReal) June 15, 2014

How I'm feeling this morning about the England game....#hmmmmm pic.twitter.com/LP8MtfcNcq
— Jenny Frost (@JENNYFROST22) June 15, 2014

Best England side in years.
— Fran Healy (@franhealy) June 15, 2014

The key stats England passes 425/468 Italy 561/602. When will we learn? We can still make it but Barkley, Wilshere and Shaw must start.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) June 15, 2014

England players,especially Sterling and Sturridge ,you have fought bravely and played well.You controlled the game and gave it your best.TA!
— John Sentamu (@JohnSentamu) June 15, 2014

Unlucky England. At least London Zoo is training up the next generation of lions though...http://t.co/3R2sJvrDjN pic.twitter.com/Opj99efgO1
— Everything London (@LDN) June 15, 2014

England