World Cup 2014 – Group D Update

An update of the goings in in Group D after two games for each of the nations involved. And as we all know, it’s not been quite how some would have expected. 

England 1-2 Uruguay

• Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo – Attendence 62,575
• Referee – Carlos Velasco Carballo
• England goal – Rooney (75)
• Uruguay goals – Suarez (39, 85)
• Bookings – Godin, Gerrard

Hopes were high for England after the narrow defeat against Italy. It was not the usual reaction to a defeat because of the way England played. Attacking, refreshing football even if a little dodgy at the back.

As for Uruguay, they were in the same situation, arguably worse after losing to minnows Costa Rica in the opener after taking the lead. They welcomed back Liverpool striker Luis Suarez but there was a big question mark over his fitness. He was only expected to to last seventy minutes, unless he had problems before then.

To England’s cost, Saurez was back with a bang and with little after effect from the key hole surgery that he had just four weeks earlier.

The cynical and physical Uruguay side were what you expected and England fell for the cheap attempts to break up the game throughout. The best chances fell to Uruguay in the opening half hour but a header from Rooney hitting the corner of the upright was the closed to a goal the game got.

The South Americans were bullying the England midfield. Then a player that is so familiar to this team was given the space to head home a great cross. Suarez had peeled off his marker and headed the ball back across Hart and into the corner of the net. He celebrated as you would expect.

The second half was expected to be an England resurgence, but it failed to materialise. There were chances, one for Rooney who fired straight at the keeper when anywhere else it would have been a goal. The equaliser arrived courtesy of a battling Glen Johnson forcing a cross along the edge of the six yard box for Rooney to meet and finish.

It was level and England looked to go at the South Americans but they were too clever for them. The winner came from a long ball which Gerrard just got under too much and ended up only setting up Suarez for an emphatic finish after getting behind the England back line.

In an interview after the game Suarez proclaimed that it was great to score against England after all the hurt and suffering that he had gone through in the last couple of seasons. This is a well payed sportsman talking only yards from hillsides full of favelas. Make of that what you will.

It doesn’t detract from an awful World Cup for England. Much has been said who is to blame but face facts, we simply were not good enough. You could say we were unlucky to find ourselves in arguably the toughest group but you make your own luck in this game.

The only glimmer of hope was that should Italy win their two games against Costa Rica and Uruguay and England beat Costa Rica, all waas not lost.

Italy 0-1 Costa Rica

• Arena Pernambuco, Recife – Attendence 40,285
• Referee – Enrique Osses
• Goals – Ruiz
• Bookings – Balotelli, Tejeda Valverde

So English eyes were all focused on Italy to do England a favour.

In truth, Italy could not do themselves a favour let alone anyone else. Whether it had anything to do with a trip to Manaus and a hard fought win against England is anyones guess.

Costa Rica were always one step ahead of the Italians and the much celebrated talent of Pirlo in the midfield could do nothing to stem the tide.

Just before half time a penalty claim from the Costa Ricans was harshly turned down as Chiellini looked to have pushed Joel Campbell in the area. But they got their reward minutes later. The ball was swung in from out wide and Fulham striker Ruiz met it with a header that forced the ball on to the crossbar and down over the line. Buffon was nowhere and Costa Rica had the lead.

In the second half the Italians could not get anything going and perhaps this was more to do with the way the opposition were thwarting them at every turn. Their much criticsed striker Balotelli was simply in the mood to hit the deck at every opportunity to claim the foul rather than anything more meaningful for his team.

The Costa Ricans were good value for the win and could have won by more. A solid unit working for each other that are dangeous going forward. A real surprise package in not only the group but the World Cup as a whole.

Looking Ahead

The thought that Costa Rica would be the whipping boys in this group were exactly that. Just a thought and nothing more as both Uruguay and Italy found out. Topping the group and with a second round place in hand, they take on England who are already facing up to an early trip home. In saying that, I would not put it past England to beat Costa Rica in the final game just to prove a point.

The other game in the group is the one to watch. The winner will take the runners-up spot and a place in the second round. Uruguay will be rejuvinated with their star striker back and with a brace under his belt. Italy though will have enough about them to get the draw they need to progress.

As It Stands