URUGUAYAN SOCCER PLAYER LUIS SUAREZ: THE MAIN STRIKER OF THE CHAMPIONS
The main storyline heading into the England-Uruguay encounter on Thursday 18/06/2014 was the return of Luis Suarez, and he didn't disappoint. The reigning Premier League Player of the Season and leading scorer sent two goals past Joe Hart on the way to a 2-1 win.
Although England did well to mark Suarez out of the match early on, his intelligent runs eventually got the best of Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka. Edinson Cavani's beautiful lob deserves more plaudits for Uruguay's first goal, but Suarez's headed finish was hardly routine.
The diminutive forward gave credit where credit was due in his celebration. He ran straight to team doctor Alberto Pan - the man who helped restore his fitness in time for the match.
It was the second goal that showed Suarez can transform a side from good to world-class. Five minutes from time, he sprinted onto a flicked header and rocketed a shot into the far corner of the net. One excellent strike effectively knocked England out of the World Cup and provided an enormous boost to Uruguay's chances of advancing.
The last time Uruguay played a World Cup on Brazilian soil they finished champions. If they want to even approach those heights this time around, an in-form Suarez is necessary. The 27-year-old - a divisive figure often despised for his on-pitch antics but admired for his football brilliance - can rest assured he did his part on Thursday.
"I dreamed about this," a tearful Suarez told Brazilian TV after the match. "I am enjoying this moment for all the criticisms that I had to take."
