FIFA World Cup 2014: England vs. Uruguay – Player Ratings
In what was considered a virtual knockout match between two former world champions, Uruguay and England fought for the much needed 3 points, which would keep the winners in contention for a spot in the next round. After the final whistle, Uruguay defeated England 2 – 1 as England’s hopes of making it to the next round are left hanging by a thread.
Liverpool ace Luis Suarez, who played for the first time after being treated for an injured knee scored twice, and Wayne Rooney scored his first FIFA World Cup goal to keep England in contention. Suarez’s second goal sealed the deal for Uruguay, and shattered England’s hopes of qualifying for the next round. Although it is still mathematically possible for England to make it to the round of 16, a draw between Italy and Costa Rica will knock them out of the world cup.
Let us now take a closer look at how the players performed individually, and who made all the difference between the two teams.
England
Joe Hart: 5/10
You can’t help but feel for the Manchester City keeper, who managed to save a couple of corners, but in the end couldn’t get himself in front of the Suarez scorcher which resulted in Uruguay taking a 2 – 1 lead.
Glen Johnson: 5.5/10
Johnson was able to save some blushes after his atrocious defending led to Uruguay taking the lead by assisting Wayne Rooney for England’s only goal of the match.
Gary Cahill: 5/10
The centre – back had a hard time keeping a lid on the Uruguayan offense, but was caught completely out of position as Suarez made a run to score the second goal for Uruguay.
Phil Jagielka: 4.5/10 – Flop of the match
The England international looked out of place, and lost his nerves as Suarez easily managed to open the score with a header. Suarez’s opening goal gave Uruguay the much needed momentum and an early advantage.
Leighton Baines: 5/10
Although he performed better defensively than he did against Italy, he was ineffective in the first half, but managed to put in some potentially dangerous crosses in the second half of the match.
Jordan Henderson: 5.5/10
The midfielder didn’t have much to do in the first half, but looked positive in the second half. He drove forward more in the second part of the match before he was taken off for Lambert.
Steven Gerrard: 5.5/10
It wasn’t a good day for the veteran midfielder who lost the ball in the first half leading up to the first goal, and inadvertently headed the ball into the path of Luis Suarez, setting up his second goal of the match.
Raheem Sterling: 6/10
Sterling didn’t have the same kind of influence he enjoyed in the game against Italy, but managed to put in some decent crosses before he was taken off for Barkley in the second half.
Wayne Rooney: 7/10
The only player in the English team who looked like scoring in the entire match. Rooney headed a Gerrard free – kick off the crossbar in the first half, but finally managed to find the back of the net in the second half, scoring his first world cup goal in the process.
Danny Welbeck: 5/10
Many people were surprised with his inclusion in the team, and he struggled to keep possession of the ball. He created a few openings in the first half before he was taken off for Lallana in the second half.
Daniel Sturridge: 5.5/10
Didn’t look like the same menacing threat he was for Liverpool, but managed to do some good work in the build – up for the opening goal for England. His finishing seemed rather lackluster as he skied an attempt from a long distance in the first half, and didn’t do any better in the second half.
Substitutes:
Ross Barkley: 6/10
Barkley came – in during the second half, and although he labored around, he didn’t have any impact on the game.
Adam Lallana: 5/10
Came on with just 20 minutes remaining in the match, and couldn’t make much of a difference. It’d be wise to start him in the next match against Costa Rica.
Rickie Lambert: 5.5/10
Lambert came on for Henderson with just a few minutes remaining on the clock, and managed to get only a single touch.
Uruguay:
Fernando Muslera: 7/10
Apart from a few spills and losing to Rooney’s header, which came off the cross – bar, Fernando was exceptional throughout the match. He also denied Rooney a chance to score in the second half.
Alvaro Pereira: 7/10
Had an excellent outing with some decent challenges, and continued even after getting hit in the head with a knee. Showed great character and spirit.
Diego Godin: 8/10
The Atletico Madrid centre – back was booked for a handball, and committed some fouls and cynical challenges, and was lucky not to be taken off the pitch. He ended up having a good game, and managed to keep a lid on the Englishmen.
Jose Maria Gimenez: 7/10
The youngster put in a spirited performance in the first half, and managed to keep Sturridge in check. His performance in the second half was a little off, but he was solid throughout the match.
Martin Caceres: 6/10
Had a decent game, and managed to keep a lid on Baines and Welbeck. Also managed to put in a few decent crosses.
Alvaro Gonzalez: 6/10
Was pivotal in negating England’s attack in the air, and managed to get in some well – timed tackles to keep the Englishmen in check.
Egidio Arevalo Rios: 7.5/10
His physical presence helped Uruguay in the midfield, as he made some incredible tackles and committed just one foul in the first half.
Cristian Rodriguez: 6.5/10
Was successful in keeping a lid on Johnson in the first half, and nearly scored for Uruguay. Managed to mark Sterling out of the match, negating his presence.
Nicolas Lodeiro: 5.5/10
Wasn’t influential operating in the hole behind Suarez and Cavani in the first half of the match. Put up a better performance in the second half before he was taken off for Stuani.
Edinson Cavani: 7.5/10
Managed to produce a perfect cross for Suarez leading up to the first goal, and assisted Suarez in scoring the second goal. Put in a much improved performance from the Costa Rica match.
Luis Suarez: 8.5/10 – Man of the match
Continued his sublime form, scoring a brace for Uruguay and sealing the match. The Liverpool ace looked like a constant threat for the Englishmen, and took advantage of a few mistakes committed by Gerrard and made them pay.
Substitutes:
Christian Stuani: 5.5/10
Came on for Lodeiro in the second half, and managed to get a few touches in the last 20 minutes of the game.
Jorge Fucile: 5/10
Managed to see – out the Englishmen’s attacks at a time when they were on the front foot.
Sebastian Coates: 6/10
Came on in the dying minutes of the match.
