World Cup Group D Uruguay 2-1 England FT Suarez 39, 84 Rooney 75 Luis Suarez with a brace saw Uruguay defeat England 2-1and leave the Three Lions interest in the 2014 World Cup hanging by a thread.
The smallest nation at the World Cup, Uruguay, just about deserved their success for having that extra quality and commitment when required, for whilst England battled back to level with Wayne Rooney's first ever goal at a World Cup final, the South American's should have settled the game long before the Manchester United striker restored parity.
The first half had been an even affair with chances for both teams in the opening minutes. Suarez almost scored direct from a corner at the near post, whilst Rooney was narrowly wide with a direct free kick.
England for all their attacking abilities had looked vulnerable at the back in their defeat to Italy and Uruguay almost punished them when Rodriguez shot wide. This lack of composure was to cost them dear and all talk of the Three Lions being in transition could not hide the fact their technique compared to their opponents was poor.
Uruguay did enjoy an early slice of good fortune when skipper Diego Godin, who already had been shown a yellow card, deliberately blocked Daniel Sturridge, but the referee was lenient in not producing a second card and a sending off.
Much had been made of the fitness of Suarez who had knee surgery just before the World Cup, but his finish on 38 minutes showed his goalscoring awareness was still intact.
Edinson Cavani sent over a perfect cross which eluded Phil Jagielka allowing the Liverpool striker to show his quality and head past Joe Hart and into goal. Again England had given away possession cheaply in the build up to the goal and failed to regroup quickly enough.
Uruguay should really have settled the game in the opening six minutes after the interval. The Three Lions defence was in disarray as Suarez, again with a corner to the near post, then with a shot dragged wide and Cavani all could have made for a more comfortable second half for the South American's.
England struggled to make an impression but gradually battled back into the game and forced their opponents onto the defensive and after a period of sustained pressure grabbed an equaliser with 15 minutes remaining.
Glen Johnson powered into the penalty area before hitting a low cross which presented Rooney with the simplest of opportunities to convert.
Daniel Sturridge almost capitalised on more England pressure by forcing a save from the keeper, but all the hard work of getting back into the game was undone in an instant.
A Fernando Muslera goal kick was hit long and Steven Gerrard's miscued header fell into the path of his Reds team-mate Suarez who raced clear to blast the ball past Hart. A fantastic finish but questions marks about the England marking loomed large.
Five minutes of injury time was not enough for Roy Hodgson's side to salvage a point and their continuing interest in the competition now lies with other results in the group.
