The 68-year-old's side needed victory over Slovakia on Monday to ensure they topped the group to map out a more comfortable route into the knockout phase of the tournament.
Hodgson, in one of the most bizarre moves conducted by an England manager at a major tournament, chose this crucial moment to make six changes to his side.
Once Hodgson made the astonishing decision to rest six players from the England side that beat Wales, two things had to happen - they had to beat Slovakia and they had to finish top of their group. Neither came to pass.
What possessed the manager to effectively dismantle the side that finally gave England some momentum and impetus with that dramatic 2-1 victory over Wales will be known only to him and his coaching staff.
England manager Hodgson was already under the microscope after FA chairman Greg Dyke underlined the general thinking by telling BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme that his future, with his contract running out, would be shaped by events at Euro 2016.