Uruguay defeated England 2-1 at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paolo, Brazil on Thursday evening at the 2014 World Cup.
Wayne Rooney’s first World Cup goal was sandwiched in between Luis Suarez’s brace for the Celeste as the star striker starred on his return from injury.
England started-off better than Uruguay but the South Americans were adroit users of the ball when they had it.
Celeste goalkeeper Fernando Muslera nearly fumbled the ball but none of the English players were close enough to pounce on the ball.
Suarez forced a save out of Joe Hart after his corner turned into a shot and at the other end, Wayne Rooney failed to hit the target from a free-kick after Diego Godin was yellow carded for a handball.
Cristian Rodriguez blasted a shot over the bar for Uruguay and England’s Daniel Sturridge had a shot deflected off a defender. Then Suarez took a low corner and Edinson Cavani blasted the shot over the bar.
Rooney remarkably failed to score for the English when he headed Steven Gerrard’s free-kick onto the bar from barely a metre in front of goal. Sturridge had another chance but his shot flew into the stands.
Uruguay took the lead after 39 minutes thanks to Suarez. The Celeste counterattacked, Cavani crossed from the left and Suarez adjusted his positioning at the far post to head the ball past Hart in England’s goal.
Sturridge nearly got one back after he ran onto Rooney’s through-ball but Muslera made a fine save at the near post.
Uruguay nearly doubled their lead early in the second half. Suarez had a corner-turned-shot saved by Hart and Cavani’s effort flashed across the goal after playing a one-two with Nicolas Lodeiro.
Rooney forced a save out of Muslera from close range and Alvaro Pereira cleared the loose ball to safety. Then Jordan Henderson had a shot from distance but it went straight to Muslera.
Danny Welbeck made a turn in the box and fell but no penalty kick was given and then Uruguayan left-back Pereira was hit in the head by Raheem Sterling’s knee. Gerrard was given a yellow card after fouling Rodriguez.
The Celeste had two chances which did not trouble Hart. Suarez tried to lob Hart from the right-wing which went over the bar and Cavani had a free-kick that went straight to the goalkeeper. Then Sturridge had a shot for the English which went straight to Muslera.
England levelled the score after 75 minutes and Rooney finally broke his World Cup drought. After Glen Johnson persevered down the right side, he ran into the box and his low cross found Rooney at the far post, who tapped the ball in.
Sturridge fell in the box but did not get a penalty and he did force a save from Muslera. Uruguay went on the attack again and regained the lead after 85 minutes thanks to Suarez.
Muslera’s kick from defence was flicked by Gerrard onto the path of Suarez, who put his country 2-1 up with an angled drive at the near post.
England tried to equalise but Gerrard did not hit the target with his chance and Uruguay packed their defence to ensure the three points.
