In what was hailed as the 2014 World Cup's "battle between the desperate", Uruguay managed to defeat England 2-1 thanks to their star striker Luis Suarez. While there were doubts whether Suarez would start due to the knee surgery he is recovering from, the Liverpool forward not only started but made the difference on the night. With this loss, England now sit at the bottom of Group D without any points, and qualification looks near impossible unless England beat Costa Rica by a high margin and Italy win their next two matches.
Just like against Italy, Roy Hodgson's England set up with the same starting lineup and began the match with the same attacking enthusiasm. Yet Uruguay was just as hungry, and both sides started the encounter looking shaky but energetic. The best early chance came from a free kick which Rooney curled just inches from the top corner. While England's nerves remained tense with plenty of misplaced passes and rushed clearances, Uruguay began to look comfortable as they put the three lions under more pressure.
In the 39th minute, England's defence crowded around Cavani at the top corner of their box, who deftly looped a cross just over the jumping Jagielka for Suarez to head in around Hart and open the scoring. Despite going down, England showed signs of life as they pushed back but never managed to link the final pass or shot. On the other side, Uruguay were continuously dangerous on the counter, with Cavani putting a great chance wide along with Rodriguez blasting a shot just barely over the bar.
England's response came midway into the second half, with Johnson cutting inside Uruguay's box and passing the ball across for Rooney to easily tap in. But the joy of Rooney's first goal in the World Cup finals wouldn't last for long, as Suarez punished England just ten minutes later. Uruguay keeper Muslera booted the ball into the England half, and it was Steven Gerrard whose header flicked through the England defence for Suarez to latch onto and power the ball home into the back of the net.Suarez celebrated with his teammates, and then ran over to the Uruguayan team's kinesiologist Walter Ferreira to celebrate with him. Ferreira helped take care and rehabilitate Suarez's knee after surgery, even putting off his own cancer treatment in order to help the Liverpool striker be fit for the tournament and join the rest of the Uruguayan national team for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It was an emotional goal and victory for Uruguay, who will face Italy next in their race for qualification. Meanwhile, England will face Costa Rica as their dreams of qualification draw to a close.
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