URUGUAY vs. ENGLAND
Date: June 19, 2014
Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 4-3-3 Uruguay
Last Match: 2006 Friendly. England def. Uruguay 2-1.
Line: England EVEN
Group D Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Uruguay (7th), England (10th)
Managers: Oscar Tabarez (URU), Roy Hodgson (ENG)
Captains: Diego Lugano (URU), Steven Gerrard (ENG)
World Cup Appearances: 12 (URU), 14 (ENG)
Best Finish: Uruguay (2x Champions, Last in 1950), England (Champions, 1966)
Qualifying Records: Uruguay (8-5-5, GF: 30, GA: 25), England (6-0-4, GF: 31, GA: 4)
Previous Game Results
Uruguay
England
June 14th - Italy def. England 2-1
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Uruguay: Maxi Pereira (Suspended - Red Card), Martin Caceres (Yellow Card), Walter Gargano (Yellow Card), Diego Lugano (Yellow Card, Out - Knee), Luis Suarez (Questionable - Knee)
England: Raheem Sterling (Yellow Card), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Out - Knee)
Overview
Uruguay and England meet in Sao Paulo desperate for a victory after both dropped their opening matches. While England were satisfied with their close game against Italy, Uruguay are reeling after falling to group minnow Costa Rica.
It's been one of the more hyped matchups of the group stages and should be the 2014 World Cup debut of star Uruguay striker Luis Suarez. He'll be facing an England squad that started 5 Liverpool players in their first game, the same club that Suarez calls home in the English Premier League.
The health of Suarez has been one of the biggest questions in this tournament after undergoing meniscus surgery last month. Even if Suarez is able to go, he's not expected to be close to 100%. That isn't the only personnel selection dogging Oscar Tabarez's Uruguay team. Captain Diego Lugano (injury) and Maxi Pereira (Suspension) are both absent from an already shaky Uruguay defensive line.
This will be an interesting game tactically for Tabarez. His usual high-powered offence was out of sorts without Suarez in the lineup and it's yet to be seen if a recovering Suarez can be a factor or not. They may also wish to play a more defensive style of soccer to counter England's speed up front, particularly with 2 defensive starters ruled out.
England have their own problems defensively dealing with opposing speed which Uruguay has in spades. They'll be primarily focused on Suarez and Edinson Cavani up front which may leave chances for the Uruguay midfield to attack. They'll like their odds in this one though with 2 of 4 Uruguay defenders out after a very poor showing against Costa Rica.
Personnel
In the Uruguayan Third: Would expect Jorge Fucile to replace Pereira on the outside but Uruguay will have to be very youthful in the central defence with either Coates (age 23) or Gimenez (19) replacing Lugano. It's a different England attack then years past with tons of pace and dynamic passing and finishing. In other words, exactly what Uruguay can't afford missing 2 starters. Advantage: England
In the Midfield: England had one of their best displays of midfield passing and control in recent memory against Italy. Uruguay should press a bit harder but are not nearly as defensively aware. Uruguay have a pair of players in the centre of the field in Gargano and Rios who can move the ball with the best of them and will look to spring the quick Uruguay attacks that are expected. Advantage: Even
In the English Third: Even if Suarez isn't healthy if he's on the field he has to be accounted for and will draw the English defence away from the rest of the team. Uruguay offered nothing in attack without him though so if he can't go then England may be able to survive. Advantage if Suarez plays: Uruguay. Advantage if Suarez sits: Even.
Goalkeeping: Uncharacteristically sloppy first game from Muslera even if he couldn't do much on at least 2 of the Costa Rican goals. I think Hart's overall body of work and his aggressiveness in his own penalty area give him a slight edge. Advantage: England.
Uruguay will win if:
Support your back line before even thinking of trying to move forward in attack. Of all the true contenders, it wasn't a stretch to say Uruguay had the worst defence BEFORE they lost 2 players from it. It's an attacking Uruguay squad but their back line has been duct taped together at this point. The central midfielders in particular need to be true holding midfielders in this game and only push if when absolutely necessary.
England will win if:
Make life hard on Suarez and Cavani. Those are the 2 players that can defeat England in this game. England will have plenty of opportunities up top for goal-scoring but they have their own defensive issues and Suarez/Cavani form one of the best striking tandems in the world. Mark them tightly, play physical (especially against Suarez) and prevent them from getting anywhere near goal on the ball.
A lifetime of England fanhood has me absolutely terrified about this game. Objectively though, England have no excuse not to win this game. Young and creative offensive front against a defence that might include an orange pylon by the end of the game and Suarez isn't 100% if he plays at all.
England 2-1 Uruguay
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