Luis Suarez Slays England in Sau Paulo

Suarez returns from injury to put England on the brink of World Cup elimination

Just four weeks after undergoing knee surgery, Luis Suarez returned to the pitch to do what he does so well.: torment teams.

This time, at the Arena de Sau Paulo, Suarez put up an iconic performance to single-handedly put England on the brink of World Cup elimination, bagging a clinical brace as Uruguay won 2-1.

Both teams had lost their first games and knew just how crucial this game was. In a match dubbed "The game of the desperates" by the Brazilian press due to the high stakes, it was Uruguay that came out as victors, inspired by their talisman, their soul.

The first real chance of the game fell to none other than Wayne Rooney, whose close range header from a Steven Gerrard corner at the back post came off the cross bar.

Just nine minutes later, Uruguay got the breakthrough, and it came through none other than Luis Suarez, making a much-publicized injury return. Suarez got on the end of a clever cross into the box by Edinson Cavani to head in across England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

It was Suarez's landmark 40th international goal, as he continues to strengthen his position as his country's all-time leading scorer, and he immediately went over to the touchline to celebrate with the team's physio, thanking him for miraculously getting him ready just in time for the game.

Oscar Tabarez's La Celeste started the second half strong, with misses from Suarez and Cavani. Rooney came close to putting England level on 53 minutes, but his close range shot was saved by Uruguay keeper Muslera.

Rooney - under immense pressure to impress - would finally get his long awaited World Cup goal on 75 minutes, tapping in a cross from Glen Johnson to pull England level. 

The relief was palpable as the 28-year-old had finally scored at a Mundial after nine barren games across three tourmaments. 

Like Suarez, this was also Rooney's 40th international goal, putting him at par with Michael Owen.

But, just ten minutes later, the Three Lions' joy would end, their hearts broken.

Luis Suarez - who else? - got in behind the English defence to smash in a ferocious shot to complete his brace, capping a virtuoso performance.

It turned out to be the Suarez show as Uruguay handed themselves a lifeline in Group D. Roy Hodgson's England are almost out of Brazil at this point.

SOURCE: Allsports