Tabarez: Suarez will face England

Costa Rica 3 Uruguay 1

Uruguay started without all-time record goalscorer Luis Suarez in their shock 3-1 defeat Costa Rica in their World Cup opener on Saturday. They took a 1-0 lead after Edinson Cavani scored a penalty in the opening half. Costa Rica struck back with a vengeance with goals from Joel Campbell, Oscar Duarte and Marco Urena.

La Celeste, the reigning Copa America champions who finished fourth at the last World Cup, could hardly have suffered a worse start to the tournament but are confident of hitting back against England, with Suarez back on the pitch.

“He [Suarez] is no longer injured,” Tabarez said.

“We have four days left before the game against England and if he proves that he is in good form, we will consider the possibility of him playing. For us Suarez is a crucial player.”

Veteran striker Diego Forlan says Uruguay are not disheartened by Saturday’s defeat. “We’ve been in situations like this before,” Forlan said. “This is not over, absolutely not.”

Uruguay will be without Maxi Pereira for the game against England, though, with the Benfica defender sent off against Costa Rica for a challenge on Campbell.

Costa Rica, meanwhile, are now trying to keep expectations in tow.

“No one gave a penny for us in this game,” Costa Rica defender Cristian Gamboa said. “We are delighted but aware that we have the most difficult task ahead of us.”

URUGUAY: Muslera, Maxi Pereira, Lugano, Godin, Caceres, Stuani, Arevalo Rios, Gargano (Gonzalez 60), Rodriguez (Hernandez 76), Forlan (Lodeiro 60), Cavani.

COSTA RICA: Navas, Gamboa, Duarte, Gonzalez, Umana, Diaz, Borges, Tejeda (Cubero 74), Bolanos (Barrantes 88), Ruiz (Urena 82), Campbell.

Ref: Felix Brych (Germany).