England on the brink as Suarez double revive Uruguayan hopes

England now find themselves on the brink of elimination from the World Cup after losing 2-1 for the second straight match. Uruguay and England squared off in an all-important Group D fixture this evening 19/06/2014 at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo with both teams knowing fully well that only a win can revive their fleeting World Cup hopes after they both suffered opening game defeats to Costa Rica and Italy respectively. In the 4^th minute Uruguay won a corner which gave Joe Hart in the England goal some problems but he managed to avert the danger. In the 6^th minute England won a free kick in the Uruguay half but the South Americans managed to clear. In the 9^th minute Uruguay captain Godin was yellow-carded for a hand ball but Rooney’s resulting free kick went too high. Uruguay then wasted a great chance to take the lead as a great play in the England area was squandered by Rodriguez. England then won a corner in the 17^th minute but the Uruguayan defense cleared. In the 25^th minute Uruguay won a free kick but Joe Hart came quickly to the England aid. The South Americans then forced another corner a minute later, but Cavani shot over the bar. In the 29^th minute England swung in a free kick but Rooney’s header hit the bar.

Soon though Uruguay were in front, as a ball spread to Cavani on the Uruguay left was chipped to the on rushing Suarez who nodded it superbly past Joe Hart. 1-0 Uruguay. In the 42^nd minute England got another corner but couldn't capitalize and the score line remained the same. Both teams went into the halftime break with Uruguay leading. At the resumption Uruguay soon won a corner which troubled Hart in the England goal, but the danger was averted. Moments later a threatening move in the England defence was wasted by Cavani. In the 54^th minute a brilliant shot from Rooney was superbly blocked by Muslera the Uruguayan ‘keeper and they barely hung on. England then made a substitution in the 64^th minute as Barkley replaced Sterling. Uruguay then replaced Lodeiro with Stuani in the 67^th minute. Steven Gerard soon found himself in the referee’s book after a late challenge on Rodriguez in the 68^th minute.

England continued to press for the equalizer and they made another substitution in the 71^st as Lallana replaced Welbeck in an attempt to rescue England’s fortunes. In the 75^th minute though, England were on level terms as a Glen Johnson made a run down the right and played a ball across the Uruguay penalty area. It bounced to Rooney who finished with aplomb. It was now 1-1 with fifteen minutes still to go and the England striker’s first World Cup goal couldn’t have come at a better time.  It was game on now. In the 81^st Uruguay forced a corner and the England defence was relieved to survive two quick attacks as they scrambled desperately to keep the South Americans at bay. In the 85^th minute though, Uruguayan joy was restored as Suarez broke through the English defence and steadied himself before smashing home past Hart. 2-1 Uruguay.

In injury time England won a corner but it was wasted as Uruguay could sense victory. At the final whistle though it was the South Americans celebrating the win and the English ruing another loss which effectively eliminates them.