adminSAO PAULO. — England were facing elimination from the 2014 World Cup last night after a second straight defeat, this time at the hands of a Luis Suarez-inspired Uruguay, left them hanging just by a thread.
The Liverpool striker scored either side of half-time and hammered what looked like the final nail in the Three Lions’ coffin in a 2-1 win on a night when Wayne Rooney’s first goal at the World Cup finals had appeared to give England hope.
Rooney struck the bar with a header and had a free-kick that just flew wide but England’s famed young Lions, who had roared impressively against Italy with very little rewards, failed to shine this time around against a very tight Uruguay defence.
Suarez, back from injury, punished an England defence that was shaky with a looping header, after escaping the attention of his marker, and then hammered a beauty after the defence had been caught stranded with Steve Gerrard being the unlikely supplier with a failed headed clearance.
England dominated possession but never really troubled the Uruguay ‘keeper and will now wait a tough examination from their hard-to-please media who will, as usual, be baying for blood.
Coach Roy Hodgson was also found wanting, with none of his substitutes adding any value to the team, but his trust in the central defensive pair and a Leighton Baines who failed to impress, for the second time in this tournament, will be severely questioned.
England still have a mathematical chance, hoping that Italy beat Costa Rica tonight, and then go on to beat
Uruguay again in their last match with Hodgson’s men then praying that they win their last tie against Costa Rica and there will be three teams in this group with three points at the end.
A draw today between Italy and Costa Rica will send England home. — Agencies/Sports Reporter
Online Reporter