Suarez breaks English hearts

England 1 Uruguay 2

England are staring down the barrel of a first World Cup group exit since 1958 after Luis Suarez’s brace secured Uruguay a hard-fought victory.

Yet again the Three Lions looked decent going forwards but susceptible at the back, with that defensive frailty exposed in Sao Paulo.

Described as a do-or-die encounter for Roy Hodgson’s side, the 2-1 defeat now means their exit will be confirmed should Italy and Costa Rica draw on Friday. Even if that does not happen, progression will still be out of their hands heading into the Group D finale against the Costa Ricans.

Wayne Rooney twice came close and Diego Godin was fortunate not to be sent off during the first half, which ended with Uruguay capitalising on lax defending as Suarez nodded home a fine chipped Edinson Cavani cross.

Who else? https://t.co/WkAxSvZxp0 #URU #ENG

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Having rode their luck on a number of occassions after half-time, England looked to have secured a vital draw as Rooney prodded home his first ever World Cup goal from close range.

Ah bless https://t.co/VwLwuWgzHo #ENG #URU

— breakingnews.ie (@breakingnewsie) June 19, 2014

It was not to be, though, as captain Steven Gerrard accidentally headed towards his own goal and into the path of Suarez, with his Liverpool team-mate taking no prisoners as he fired home to secure victory.

Suarez played up to the role of the role of pantomime villain from the beginning of the evening, winking at his Liverpool team-mate Gerrard in the tunnel.

His first touch was greeted by loud boos from the 8,000 England fans sporting red and white in the far corner of the stadium.

Those supporters were made to endure a nerve-jangling opening 10 minutes as England started on the back foot.

Suarez’s cross deflected off Gary Cahill’s head and Hart almost spilled the ball into his own net, before the England goalkeeper nervously palmed away a Suarez corner.

It was not the start England wanted.

The pressure lifted for a moment when Diego Godin was booked for punching Daniel Sturridge’s through-ball.

Rooney steadied himself and bent the resulting free-kick over the wall and narrowly wide of Fernando Muslera’s goal.

Uruguay soon had England rattled again.

Phil Jagielka made a real hash of his clearance and the ball fell to Cristian Rodriguez, who belted a left-foot drive that flew an inch over.

Gary Cahill soon followed suit, making another poor clearance, but once again Uruguay could not capitalise.

A concerned Hodgson came to the edge of his technical area to bark orders to his players. It had little effect though as Uruguay continued piling on the pressure.

Cahill had to put in a last-ditch tackle to deny Edinson Cavani and the Paris St Germain man then clipped a shot just over the bar.

Godin was lucky to stay on the pitch when his outstretched arm hit Sturridge in the neck.

Then came Rooney’s big chance of the first half. The striker connected with Gerrard’s free-kick just under the goal frame, but his header struck the frame and bounced out.

Then, seven minutes before the break, Suarez struck.

Gerrard lost the ball on the halfway line while England had men upfield and Uruguay hit on the counter. Glen Johnson gave Cavani enough time and space to curl a peach of a cross that looped over Cahill’s head and Suarez did the rest.

The Liverpool striker wheeled away before being mobbed by his team-mates.

England’s defence again switched off after the break, allowing Cavani through, but luckily for the Three Lions, he shot wide.

Rooney found space in the box at the other end of the pitch, but he could only fire at Muslera. It was as if he was destined to never score a World Cup goal.

Gerrard’s emotions got the better of him as he clattered into Rodriguez to earn a booking.

Hodgson brought on Ross Barkley, who immediately injected some life into the England midfield.

Sturridge, Johnson and Barkley all entered the box, but nothing was working for England – until Johnson went on a run down the right flank.

Johnson, who had been poor all night, took one player on and slipped the ball through the legs of Alvaro Gonzalez to Rooney, who prodded home.

Hodgson leapt up in celebration and Rooney looked to the skies. Finally the monkey was off the Manchester United striker’s back. Finally England could breathe again.

England went for the kill. Sturridge broke into the box and was knocked to the floor by Alvaro Pereira, but the referee waved play on.

But with five minutes left Suarez struck the killer blow.

Gerrard mistakenly flicked on a long punt and Suarez drove a low ball past Hart.

England threw everything they had at Uruguay – Hart even came up for a corner - but nothing worked and Suarez was held aloft by his jubilant team-mates at the final whistle.