Hello again everyone, and welcome to my latest blog post - another LIVE Commentary, this time from Group D as South American side Uruguay play against the hotly-anticipated England side who are expected to qualify through to the knock-out rounds, but need to win this match to secure their first 3 points of their group.
Both teams lost their opening matches last week; Uruguay lost 3-1 to Costa Rica while England were master-classed by a strong Italy side, 2-1.
IF either side loses this match tonight, they will be consequently knocked out of the World Cup. So the importance of this game is significant, this is almost a final-type of match for both teams.
Expect free-flowing football, as well as a high intensity and some goals in a must-win game for both.
Here are the team line-ups for the match:
Subs: Munoz, Fucile, Gargano, Hernandez, Forlan, Stuani, Perez, Ramirez, Coates, Maxi Pereira and Silva.
England: Hart, Baines, Cahill, Jagielka, Johnson, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Rooney, Welbeck and Sturridge.
Subs: Foster, Forster, Wilshere, Lampard, Smalling, Jones, Milner, Lambert, Lallana, Barkley and Shaw.
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (from Spain)
19:50 - The teams are lining up in the tunnel, getting ready for the start of the match. 10 minutes left until kick-off.
19:55 - An unchanged England side, with Gerrard and Henderson playing as holding midfielders against an attacking Uruguay side.
19:57 - Some quick team news by Uruguay; Liverpool striker Luis Suarez DOES start tonight, even though he is not 100% fit and will not be expected to finish the 90 minutes.
Maxi Pereira is suspended, after he was sent off in the 3-1 defeat against Costa Rica while defender Diego Lugano is unavailable due to injury.
20:00 - The referee blows his whistle, and the game is underway.
1: England instantly go on the front foot, but Uruguay are eager to stay solid at the back.
3: The first glimpse of Luis Suarez, and he forces a corner after some good play on the flank. His attempted cross into the box was blocked by the face of Chelsea defender Gary Cahill and out for a corner.
4: Corner is whipped into the box, but cleared away by England.
7: Good defensive block by Henderson, as he comes across towards the touchline and prevents the oncoming run of Suarez.
8: First yellow card of the match goes to Uruguay defender and captain Diego Godin, who purposely puts his hands up to block an over-the-top through ball from falling into the area.
10: A dangerous set-piece for England, a free-kick from 20 yards out or so. Wayne Rooney steps over this one.... narrowly wide! Close by the Manchester United man.
14: Uruguay happy to keep possession, making England work for the ball and chase their opponents. Frustrating for the Three Lions.
20: Asking too much of Suarez there! A long ball into the area is too powerful for the Liverpool striker, as he looks in disgust at his team-mate.
22: This could easily end a draw, but surely someone has to score? England look dangerous on the counter attack, but Uruguay are strong in defence.
They have kept hold of possession and proved in the early stages that they are not to be messed with.
23: Especially with the inclusion of Suarez tonight, England have to be weary. Even though he is not at 100% fitness, he is always a threat as well as PSG striker Edinson Cavani. Defence has to be solid.
24: Uruguay free-kick given after a body-to-body challenge between Sterling and Pereira, the Liverpool winger is angry after the decision went the other way.
25: The resulting set-piece is comfortably held by Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, under pressure from an approaching Cavani.
26: CHANCE! Uruguay unlucky as the ball is cut back towards the path of an approaching Cavani, who hits the ball powerfully towards goal but his effort is just wide. Close.
27: Arguments over how the referee should deal with this situation, Godin fouls Sturridge outside the box and a foul is given; but the Atletico Madrid defender is already on a yellow card and the England players are annoyed that he is still on the pitch after a calculated challenge to stop the run of the Liverpool striker.
32: OFF THE CROSSBAR! A great free-kick delivery into the box by Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard swerves towards the back post, where England push bodies into the area.
The ball falls to the head of a jumping Rooney, who heads the ball towards goal but his effort hits the crossbar and Uruguay scramble clear.
35: An ambitious effort from Sturridge, 30 yards out but his shot flies over the top of the crossbar. Uruguay goal-kick to come.
38: GOAL! Uruguay ahead! On the stroke of half-time, a blow for England.
A great pass-and-move is clinically finished by the Liverpool striker, who lurks past the defence onside to head the ball past Joe Hart into the corner of the net.
39: 1-0 to Uruguay, and now England are in the same situation that Spain found themselves in yesterday. Can they respond in a positive way? Suarez runs over and hugs the Uruguay team doctor, emotional moment for him.
40: Half-chance for England, from Sturridge. He beats his marker on the flank, darts across the box before having a low effort parried away by goalkeeper Muslera. Corner kick.
41: Uruguay clear the danger away as England attempt to get the ball back into the danger area.
45: One minute of stoppage time to play; 1-0 to Uruguay.
45+1:
HALF-TIME:
Uruguay 1 England 0
England behind as you-know-who pops up with a goal in the 38th minute, and they have 45 minutes to save their World Cup campaign.
Lose tonight, and they are out of the World Cup in the group stage, just like Spain yesterday night.
England have played well, had a few chances but have not taken them. Uruguay on the other hand have looked dangerous on the counter attack, and took their chance. That's why they are leading at the break. Simple as that.
21:01 - Second-half has begun, 45 minutes to play.
46: Cameras show that striker Diego Forlan is among the substitutes from the bench that are warming up, perhaps for Suarez later?
47: Uruguay free-kick near the half-way line after Sturridge accidentally catches Pereira with an elbow.
48: Uruguay corner almost ends with a 2-0 scoreline. Swerving effort from the set-piece is almost into the net, but Joe Hart does well to scramble across his goal-line and parry it to safety.
49: Extended spell of Uruguay pressure is not yet diverted, as midfielder Alvaro Gonzales shapes to shoot, but a block by Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard means that the ball goes out of play for a corner.
51: CHANCE! Uruguay with a glorious chance to make it 2-0, this time from Edinson Cavani who is found inside the box, but his shot is just wide of the goal as Hart dives to his left to try and palm the ball away.
54: Another CHANCE! Probing low cross into the box by Everton full-back Leighton Baines, ball falls to the path of Wayne Rooney who hits a shot towards goal from 12 yards out, which is parried away by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
55: Good save by the goalkeeper, to deny Rooney. Promising start to the second-half, by both teams.
56: Half-chance for England is cleared up by goalkeeper Muslera, who sprints off his line to catch a low ball into the box, before being unfortunately caught by the studs of an approaching Welbeck. Painful collision, but it was an accident.
57: A few seconds of delay to allow the physio to come on and treat Muslera, the match gets back underway.
58: An inviting cross into the box by Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, comfortably caught by Muslera.
59: A 50-50 challenge between Cahill and Suarez is dealt with by the Chelsea defender, who holds his Premier League rival off and the ball goes out for a goal-kick.
60: England preparing a substitution, with Everton creative midfielder Ross Barkley ready to come on.
Meanwhile, Uruguay full-back Pereira is knocked to the ground by Sterling, who appears to have hit the Uruguayan's face with his knee while he was trying to run into the area.
62: The physio come on for Pereira, who lays on the floor looking dazed and unresponsive for a few moments before he responds and gradually gets back to his feet.
63: Pereira looks as though he is suffering from concussion, but he is eager to continue playing - much to the discontent of the Uruguay team doctor on the touchline.
64: England SUB:
Raheem Sterling OFF
Ross Barkley ON
65: Barkley gets 25 minutes or so to weave his magic, as he did against Italy on Saturday night. Sterling has played well on the far side, but he is already on a yellow card from the previous match so Hodgson takes off the young Liverpool winger.
66: Uruguay SUB:
Nicolas Lodeiro OFF
Christian Stuani ON
68: First yellow card of the game for England, as a strong and late challenge by Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is adjudged to be a dangerous tackle by the referee. Booking.
70: 20 minutes to play, a tense 20 minutes no doubt. 1-0 to Uruguay, an improved performance by England in the second-half.
71: England SUB:
Danny Welbeck OFF
Adam Lallana ON
72: Slightly disappointed that he and Barkley did not start the game, but Southampton midfielder Lallana gets the last twenty minutes of the game to play.
73: A half-chance for England; Sturridge gets himself in a good position and has a low but hard effort on-goal, but it is comfortably caught by goalkeeper Muslera, who gets down low to stop the effort.
75: GOAL! And Rooney finally gets his goal!! England have been bright in the second-period and they have got their reward! Full-back Glen Johnson speeds past his marker and slots a cross into the box, for Rooney to tap-in to the net!
78: Uruguay SUB:
Alvaro Gonzalez OFF
Jorge Fucile ON
80: Good defending by England, Uruguay keeping up the pressure on their opponents.
83: England go on the counter attack, a loose ball draws a Uruguay defender in and Henderson crosses an inviting cross into the area but Muslera comes out and collects.
84: GOAL! Uruguay back in-front! Suarez with another goal, a power strike as he speeds past Cahill before smashing the ball past Hart into the back of the net. 2-1 to the South Americans, with just 5 minutes plus stoppages to play.
86: The game is temporarily paused, as Suarez goes down on the turf and immediately calls for the physio. He isn't 100% fit, and has done his best tonight to stay on the pitch for as long as he has.
87: Uruguay SUB:
Luis Suarez OFF
Sebastian Coates ON
89: England SUB:
Jordan Henderson OFF
Rickie Lambert ON
90: The fourth official has signalled for 5 minutes of stoppage time to add on. 5 minutes for England to salvage something, in a valiant performance.
90+2: England getting forward with purpose, they don't have time to waste - Gerrard has an ambitious effort towards goal, fires the ball wide.
90+3: Uruguay try to win the ball and hold onto it, but Jagielka does well to get past his marker and pass it towards Hart, who smashes the ball clear to his nearest team-mate.
90+4: England's last chance to equalise, but the opportunity goes astray.
90+5: The referee blows his whistle to signal the end of the match, as the Uruguay players lift Suarez up into the air and parade him onto the pitch; his presence was enough to push them forward, with 2 goals despite being injured.
What a performance by him, what an enthralling match to watch!
My MOTM: Luis Suarez.
What else can you say? Injured, yet scores two and could have assisted a few aswell. What an impact he had.
Have a look at his heat map during the game, coming from a player that is still INJURED:
I will be back for more World Cup action tomorrow, along with a match report from the Japan vs Greece match at 11pm GMT tonight.
Tomorrow's group stage matches -
Italy vs Costa Rica
Switzerland vs France
Honduras vs Ecuador
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| Close! Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney narrowly missed a 20-yard free-kick effort |
20: Asking too much of Suarez there! A long ball into the area is too powerful for the Liverpool striker, as he looks in disgust at his team-mate.
22: This could easily end a draw, but surely someone has to score? England look dangerous on the counter attack, but Uruguay are strong in defence.
They have kept hold of possession and proved in the early stages that they are not to be messed with.
23: Especially with the inclusion of Suarez tonight, England have to be weary. Even though he is not at 100% fitness, he is always a threat as well as PSG striker Edinson Cavani. Defence has to be solid.
24: Uruguay free-kick given after a body-to-body challenge between Sterling and Pereira, the Liverpool winger is angry after the decision went the other way.
25: The resulting set-piece is comfortably held by Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, under pressure from an approaching Cavani.
26: CHANCE! Uruguay unlucky as the ball is cut back towards the path of an approaching Cavani, who hits the ball powerfully towards goal but his effort is just wide. Close.
27: Arguments over how the referee should deal with this situation, Godin fouls Sturridge outside the box and a foul is given; but the Atletico Madrid defender is already on a yellow card and the England players are annoyed that he is still on the pitch after a calculated challenge to stop the run of the Liverpool striker.
32: OFF THE CROSSBAR! A great free-kick delivery into the box by Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard swerves towards the back post, where England push bodies into the area.
The ball falls to the head of a jumping Rooney, who heads the ball towards goal but his effort hits the crossbar and Uruguay scramble clear.
35: An ambitious effort from Sturridge, 30 yards out but his shot flies over the top of the crossbar. Uruguay goal-kick to come.
38: GOAL! Uruguay ahead! On the stroke of half-time, a blow for England.
A great pass-and-move is clinically finished by the Liverpool striker, who lurks past the defence onside to head the ball past Joe Hart into the corner of the net.
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| Clinical finish: Suarez pops up with a header from close range to break the deadlock |
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| El Pistolero: A less-than-100% fit Suarez celebrates his goal, stunning England before half-time. |
40: Half-chance for England, from Sturridge. He beats his marker on the flank, darts across the box before having a low effort parried away by goalkeeper Muslera. Corner kick.
41: Uruguay clear the danger away as England attempt to get the ball back into the danger area.
45: One minute of stoppage time to play; 1-0 to Uruguay.
45+1:
HALF-TIME:
Uruguay 1 England 0
England behind as you-know-who pops up with a goal in the 38th minute, and they have 45 minutes to save their World Cup campaign.
Lose tonight, and they are out of the World Cup in the group stage, just like Spain yesterday night.
England have played well, had a few chances but have not taken them. Uruguay on the other hand have looked dangerous on the counter attack, and took their chance. That's why they are leading at the break. Simple as that.
21:01 - Second-half has begun, 45 minutes to play.
46: Cameras show that striker Diego Forlan is among the substitutes from the bench that are warming up, perhaps for Suarez later?
47: Uruguay free-kick near the half-way line after Sturridge accidentally catches Pereira with an elbow.
48: Uruguay corner almost ends with a 2-0 scoreline. Swerving effort from the set-piece is almost into the net, but Joe Hart does well to scramble across his goal-line and parry it to safety.
49: Extended spell of Uruguay pressure is not yet diverted, as midfielder Alvaro Gonzales shapes to shoot, but a block by Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard means that the ball goes out of play for a corner.
51: CHANCE! Uruguay with a glorious chance to make it 2-0, this time from Edinson Cavani who is found inside the box, but his shot is just wide of the goal as Hart dives to his left to try and palm the ball away.
54: Another CHANCE! Probing low cross into the box by Everton full-back Leighton Baines, ball falls to the path of Wayne Rooney who hits a shot towards goal from 12 yards out, which is parried away by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
55: Good save by the goalkeeper, to deny Rooney. Promising start to the second-half, by both teams.
56: Half-chance for England is cleared up by goalkeeper Muslera, who sprints off his line to catch a low ball into the box, before being unfortunately caught by the studs of an approaching Welbeck. Painful collision, but it was an accident.
57: A few seconds of delay to allow the physio to come on and treat Muslera, the match gets back underway.
58: An inviting cross into the box by Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, comfortably caught by Muslera.
59: A 50-50 challenge between Cahill and Suarez is dealt with by the Chelsea defender, who holds his Premier League rival off and the ball goes out for a goal-kick.
60: England preparing a substitution, with Everton creative midfielder Ross Barkley ready to come on.
Meanwhile, Uruguay full-back Pereira is knocked to the ground by Sterling, who appears to have hit the Uruguayan's face with his knee while he was trying to run into the area.
62: The physio come on for Pereira, who lays on the floor looking dazed and unresponsive for a few moments before he responds and gradually gets back to his feet.
63: Pereira looks as though he is suffering from concussion, but he is eager to continue playing - much to the discontent of the Uruguay team doctor on the touchline.
64: England SUB:
Raheem Sterling OFF
Ross Barkley ON
65: Barkley gets 25 minutes or so to weave his magic, as he did against Italy on Saturday night. Sterling has played well on the far side, but he is already on a yellow card from the previous match so Hodgson takes off the young Liverpool winger.
66: Uruguay SUB:
Nicolas Lodeiro OFF
Christian Stuani ON
68: First yellow card of the game for England, as a strong and late challenge by Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is adjudged to be a dangerous tackle by the referee. Booking.
70: 20 minutes to play, a tense 20 minutes no doubt. 1-0 to Uruguay, an improved performance by England in the second-half.
71: England SUB:
Danny Welbeck OFF
Adam Lallana ON
72: Slightly disappointed that he and Barkley did not start the game, but Southampton midfielder Lallana gets the last twenty minutes of the game to play.
73: A half-chance for England; Sturridge gets himself in a good position and has a low but hard effort on-goal, but it is comfortably caught by goalkeeper Muslera, who gets down low to stop the effort.
75: GOAL! And Rooney finally gets his goal!! England have been bright in the second-period and they have got their reward! Full-back Glen Johnson speeds past his marker and slots a cross into the box, for Rooney to tap-in to the net!
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| Rooney equalises after 75 minutes, with a tap-in at the far post. |
Alvaro Gonzalez OFF
Jorge Fucile ON
80: Good defending by England, Uruguay keeping up the pressure on their opponents.
83: England go on the counter attack, a loose ball draws a Uruguay defender in and Henderson crosses an inviting cross into the area but Muslera comes out and collects.
84: GOAL! Uruguay back in-front! Suarez with another goal, a power strike as he speeds past Cahill before smashing the ball past Hart into the back of the net. 2-1 to the South Americans, with just 5 minutes plus stoppages to play.
86: The game is temporarily paused, as Suarez goes down on the turf and immediately calls for the physio. He isn't 100% fit, and has done his best tonight to stay on the pitch for as long as he has.
87: Uruguay SUB:
Luis Suarez OFF
Sebastian Coates ON
89: England SUB:
Jordan Henderson OFF
Rickie Lambert ON
90: The fourth official has signalled for 5 minutes of stoppage time to add on. 5 minutes for England to salvage something, in a valiant performance.
90+2: England getting forward with purpose, they don't have time to waste - Gerrard has an ambitious effort towards goal, fires the ball wide.
90+3: Uruguay try to win the ball and hold onto it, but Jagielka does well to get past his marker and pass it towards Hart, who smashes the ball clear to his nearest team-mate.
90+4: England's last chance to equalise, but the opportunity goes astray.
90+5: The referee blows his whistle to signal the end of the match, as the Uruguay players lift Suarez up into the air and parade him onto the pitch; his presence was enough to push them forward, with 2 goals despite being injured.
What a performance by him, what an enthralling match to watch!
My MOTM: Luis Suarez.
What else can you say? Injured, yet scores two and could have assisted a few aswell. What an impact he had.
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| Influence: Suarez ran riot, as England suffered a back-to-back defeat in the World Cup |
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| A nuisance: Suarez was everywhere on the pitch tonight, proving a problem for England |
Tomorrow's group stage matches -
Italy vs Costa Rica
Switzerland vs France
Honduras vs Ecuador
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