England - Uruguay

Liverpool superstar Luis Suarez returned for South American outfit Uruguay. He faced club team mates Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling and Sturridge but who would come out on top was too difficult to call.

England found themselves under the cosh at the beginning. Joe Hart scrambled across his goal to keep out a cheeky corner from the genius Suarez while Uruguayan Rodriguez smashed a left footed effort just over the bar. England began to find their feet and Gerrard found Rooney’s head at the back post. Unbelievably to Manchester United striker was unable to find the back of the net when it was easier to score. The ball cannoned off his head onto the bar from just two yards out. Rooney remained goalless on the World Cup stage.  

And then, as many expected, Luis Suarez marked his return with a well-placed header over the head of England Lionheart - Joe Hart. The Liverpool hero ghosted in past England’s defenders and Cavani’s delicate chip found him in space from where he put Uruguay ahead in this crucial encounter. In a manner all too familiar to his opposition Luis Suarez rushed off to celebrate his opener.

Super Suarez shoots Uruguay ahead

Suarez again attempted to catch Joe Hart out by again attempting to score directly from a corner at the near post in an exact replica of the previous attempt. Joe Hart was equal to it and managed to claw it away. Suarez was at the heart of everything. He set Cavani through one-on-one with Joe Hart but the PSG forward put it wide and should have done a lot better.

Rooney continued to desperately search for his first ever world cup goal and he nearly got it when a Leighton Baines crossed found its way to the England talisman inside the area. His left footed shot was too close to the keeper who managed to palm it to safety as Rooney looked miserably on.

He finally came good with 15 minutes left to go. Rooney scored the equaliser when Glen Johnson’s cross found him free at the back post. Rooney made no mistake with the easy tap in and he levelled the score line. England looked good for another too.

However a long punt from Uruguay goalkeeper Muslera beat the English defence – like it did against Germany in South Africa 2010 -after coming of the head of England Captain Steven Gerrard. Luis Suarez had gambled and found himself behind the England defenders through one-on-one with Joe Hart. It was all too obvious what the outcome would be. The net bulged and the little magician wheeled away for the second time as Joe Hart lay helplessly in the dirt. Steven Gerrard picked up another assist for a Luis Suarez goal, although he won’t want it. Gerrard, who has had a fine season, must be cursing his luck after his slip against Chelsea, and now his accidental assist to arguably the best striker in the world at this time.

England were unable to find another equaliser and Uruguay held on for a vital victory. England know they are all but out, although can still qualify, on goal difference, if Italy win both their games, and England beat Costa Rica in their final game by 2 goals.

 England 1 – 2 Uruguay 

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Brazil - Mexico

The hosts Brazil starred in their second game, knowing victory would all but guarantee their progression into the last 16 of the competition. A progression that is highly expected. They faced fellow South Americans, Mexico in the Fortaleza cauldron. It was an emotional affair, with Neymar breaking into tears during a rousing rendition of the Brazil national anthem.

Brazil’s golden boy, Neymar was involved in the thick of the action, sambaing around Mexican defenders. He was also on the end of a few opportunities. Dani Alves found his Barcelona team mate but Ochoa threw himself across the goal to produce a famous save from Neymar’s goal bound header. It was a sign of things to come.

Mexican Goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa

Brazil continued to pepper the Mexicans goal but Ochoa, who is without a club having left French club Ajaccio, was more than a match for efforts from Paulinho, Neymar and David Luiz.

Mexico were not afraid to attack either though. Peralta, Hector Herrea and Vazquez all came close. Julio Cesar tipped one over the bar. Fred (yeah he was play) was soon replaced by ex-Manchester City striker after having an absolutely dreadful game. “The corner flag moved better than he did”. Jo provided a much better performance upon his entrance.

Neymar, and Brazil continued to threaten ‘El Tri’ after the break but they held firm. Ochoa made more fine saves, making good use of a rumoured extra finger on his right hand. This later turned out to be false. The Mexican made a point blank save from a thunderous header from Brazilian captain Thiago Silva. Either side and it would certainly have been a goal, but Ochoa still produced a fine save to thwart the powerful effort in the dying minutes of the second half.

Brazil found themselves with one more chance. Marcelo found himself in behind Aguilar in the penalty area but flung himself to the ground in the hope of winning a penalty, The referee waved play on and it was a wasted opportunity and disgraceful play by the Real Madrid man. It was behaviour that deserved a booking, at least.

The game ended in a stale 0 – 0, a result that won’t have pleased the Brazil nation.

 Brazil 0 - 0 Mexico 

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Belgium - Algeria

Belgium began their campaign against African side Algeria. Belgium were tipped as the dark horses for this tournament. Boasting a squad full of Premier League quality, from Kompany of Man City in defence alongside Spurs’ Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelan missed out on a starting 11 place. In midfield they have Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Tottenhams Moussa Dembele and Nacer Chadli while Man United’s only signing last summer, Maroune Fellaini found himself on the bench alongside Vermaelan. Lukaku leads the line while Benteke missed out on the tournament through injury. They also have highly rated goal keeper Thiburt Courtois just finished winning La Liga and runners up in the Champions League. On the other hand, Algeria possess err... Bentaleb of Spurs, Feghouli of Valencia and Madjid Bougherra, once of Rangers.

The Belgium team line up at kick off.

Despite the obvious gulf in quality, Algeria were not easily overrun and were able to hold their own against the Europeans. In fact, Algeria took an early lead when spurs defender clumsily hauled down his opposition in the box and the referee awarded a penalty to the African nation.

Feghouli calmly dispatched the spot kick, and Belgium now faced a real test. Up to this point they had looked lethargic and uncreative but if they were to win this game something was going to need to change. They persisted until half time before Wilmots made a change, replacing Chadli with speedster Dries Mertens.

With no goals for the chocolate eating Europeans, they took off Chelsea forward, Lukaku and brought on virtually unknown youngster Origi. Wilmots also brought on Fellaini of Manchester United to add a different dimension to their attack. It paid off. Fellaini had his best game of the season, and connected with De Bruyne’s cross and scored with a looping header shortly after coming on. Moyes could be seen seething with anger and lambasting the Belgian in broken, drunken Glaswegian slurs.

Algeria was clearly tiring from their stubborn efforts to keep the Belgian’s at bay, but they could hold out no longer. Premier League’s PFA Young Player of the Year, Eden Hazard collected the ball on the half way line and began to run at the defence. His dribbling and Origi’s off the ball movement sucked two defenders out of position giving Mertens space to break into. Hazard was able to find him and Mertens fired home the winner on 80 minutes. Credit has to go to the Belgian coach who made inspired substitutions who all had positive impacts on the result. Fellaini and Mertens both grabbed a goal while Origi’s pace was a constant threat and a thorn in the Algerian side that Lukaku just didn’t offer. It will be interesting if Origi keeps his place for their next game. His contribution certainly warrants it

Belgium gained a valuable three points and the win will have boosted their confidence even if it did come with an early scare. They will have harder games than this, against stronger sides, but this game gives them the knowledge that they have a good enough squad to make changes if things aren’t going to plan, and the ability and patience to turn things around if they go behind.

 Belgium 2 – 1 Algeria 

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Ivory Coast - Japan

The Elephants faced The Samurai’s late on Saturday night (GMT). The Elephants boasted a strong team filled with familiar premier league faces including Manchester City’s Yaya Toure who captained the side as Drogba didn't make the starting line-up.

It was Japan who started off the brightest. Japanese superstars Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda pulled the strings in midfield. It was the AC Milan midfielder who made the biggest impact early in the first half thumping home a left footed drive from inside the area past the helpless Ivorian in goal.

The Ivory Coast beast was awakened and the boys in orange continued to stomp forward looking for an equaliser only to see chance after chance fail to bring them level. Stars such as Gervinho, Yaya Toure, Bony and Solomon Kalou all looked on despairingly as each miss threatened their world cup progression.

The introduction of national heartthrob, Didier Drogba, coincided with the breakthrough. Although the experienced forward did not get on the score sheet himself he distracted the Japanese enough for his team-mates to score. Swansea’s Wilfried Bony glanced his header from Arsenal target Aurier’s cross past the flailing Japanese goalkeeper to open the Africans World Cup account.

Ivorian goalscorers, Bony and Gervinho celebrate their second.

Aurier was again the architect just 90 seconds later as the Japanese saw their lead to into a deficit in the blink of an eye. Aurier's cross this time found the fivehead of ex-Arsenal winger Gervinho. His header sneaked in at the front post to put the Elephants ahead. Gervinho wheeled off to celebrate closely followed by Ivorian stalwart Drogba.

Japan were unable to find a way back into the game but gave a good account of themselves. Their coach still believes they have a chance of qualifying for the latter stages of the competition but it’s clear they are going to need a bit of luck if they are to progress ahead of Ivory Coast or group leaders Colombia.

Ivory Coast 2 - 1 Japan 

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