SAO PAULO (AP) — Wayne Rooney finally delivered his first goal for England on the big stage, coming through despite all the criticism about his lack of production at this World Cup — and it wasn’t enough.
Rooney’s equalizer in the 75th minute Thursday gave England hope. Ten minutes later, Luis Suarez stole the headlines with his second goal, giving Uruguay a 2-1 victory and pushing England to the brink of elimination.
While Rooney did his part for the Three Lions at last, he still left Itaquerao Stadium in defeat. He slowly walked to the middle of the field to trade jerseys, then departed.
Early, Rooney leapt several feet in the air and had a perfect first chance to make a name for himself in the World Cup, but his header hit the bar. He had another opportunity early in the second half, when goalkeeper Fernando Muslera — dressed in glaring head-to-toe neon orange — made a sliding stop on Rooney’s shot from point blank.
Group D Standings
Win
Loss
Draw
Goals For
Goals Against
Points
Costa Rica
1
0
0
3
1
3
Italy
1
0
0
2
1
3
Uraguay
1
1
0
3
4
3
England
0
2
0
2
4
0
Schedule and Results
Saturday, June 14
Costa Rica 3, Uruguay 1
Italy 2, England 1
Thursday, June 19
Uruguay 2, England 1
Friday, June 20
Noon: Italy vs Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco, Recife
Tuesday, June 24
Noon: Italy vs Uruguay at Estadio das Dunas, Natal
Noon: Costa Rica vs England at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
