ENGLAND VS URUGUAY: THE SURVIVAL BATTLE

If either one of these former champions lose, their hopes of advancing are finished. England hasn’t been eliminated in the group round since 1950. Both heavyweights face each other in a surprisingly desperate situation. A draw could benefit England because it is yet to face Costa Rica and only lost by one goal to Italy. On the other hand, Uruguay needs a win as it doesn’t want to go up against now group favorite Italy with only one point in tow. It would also have to overcome a two-goal defeat to Costa Rica. That’s why Thursday’s game is vital for both sides.

Last time those two sides met at the World Cup, was in 1966 where the three Lions got a goalless draw at the competition’s opener and went on to win the entire competition at home. Both teams have squared off 10 times where England have won three of the exchange and lost four.

Uruguay’s defense looked completely out of sorts against Costa Rica, and The Three Lions could take advantage of an even more vulnerable backline. Captain and defender Diego Lugano will miss tomorrow’s match with a knee injury. A late red card against Costa Rica for Maxi Pereira won’t help matters either as he’ll watch from the bench. In some positive news—lord knows they need it—Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is expected to play against the many familiar faces of the English national team. Suarez, who underwent knee surgery less than a month ago, says he won’t play here either unless he’s sound, but he could be persuaded to change his mind and face some of his English clubmates with Uruguay’s hopes riding on the outcome.

Wayne Rooney, set to play in his 10th World Cup game, has still never scored a goal on this stage. He fumbled a golden chance against Italy in the second half, but he still had a massive impact with a precise cross to lead to his team’s only goal. Even if he’s not scoring, he’s still demanding attention away from England’s other attackers, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge.

Roy Hodgson will likely deploy Rooney as an attacking midfielder in the center, a position he’s way more comfortable with than where we saw him against Italy. Both teams need this, but one side is young, hungry and healthy while the other is aging and vulnerable. We’ll see if Uruguay can flip the script.