After Champion Spain it appears that another former Champion England is going to bite the dust after back to back loses by identical margins against two previous champions Italy and Uruguay. The battle of survival in the group of death triggered with England losing a keenly contested first match against brilliant Italy. The struggle becomes still intensive when Central American team surprised Uruguay missing their star performer Luis Suarez 3-1. The match between two first match losers England and Uruguay developed into do or die.
Suddenly the weather in the largest city of South America Saul Paulo became cooler much to the comfort of England. English team looked more confident with several youngsters alongside Gerrad, Lampard and Rooney looked assured and refreshing. On the other hand Uruguay looked a different side with the return of Suarez. The match started in brisk pace with both teams using their wingers in testing the rival defence. Neither team could take control in the midfield. Attacks and counter attacks kept flowing. Some Uruguyan players, some known faces to English crowd from their experience in English league started troubling English defence. In such a tight contest, individual brilliance often matters. That is where brilliant Saurez could deliver. From a very organized attack Suarez beat the English keeper with a smart glancing header much to the discomfort of English fans 1-0. The match witnessed series of attacks and counter attacks till Wayne Rooney finally could break the ice tapping into the net from a close range Rooney could finally score a world cup goal his 40th over all international goal making it 1-1.
The second half followed the same pattern of the first with both teams creating opportunities. But what mattered most was exploiting the opportunities and converting into goal. That was again done by Suarez. A superb volley found the English net which sealed the fate of the match. Three teams Italy, Costa Rica and Uruguay now have 3 points each. England still has an outside chance if they can beat Costa Rica by a large margin and if Italy manages beating Uruguay and Costa Rica. But otherwise England has to bid good bye to Brazil world Cup.
Uruguay after their shock defeat against Costa Rica looked a much determined side with the return of Luiz Suarez. They played the traditional South American brand of attacking football. Two quality goals each in each half by Suarez made the difference. Some of my friends who thought English team as champion potential possibly does not consider that English football is primarily dominated by overseas players. England had its golden generation almost all gone. Gerrad, Lampard and Ronney could do little in possibly their last world cup.
BDST: 0921 HRS, JUN 20, 2014
