Suarez brace leaves England staring at early World Cup exit (Roundup)

Rio de Janeiro, June 20 (IANS) Luis Suarez put England on the brink of an early exit after scoring twice to give Uruguay a 2-1 victory in their World Cup Group D match in Sao Paulo.

In theory, England are still alive in the World Cup, reports Xinhua.

If Italy top the group with three wins and England beat Costa Rica in the third round, England, Uruguay and Costa Rica will all have three points from three matches. The issue would then be decided on the goal difference.

Italy will play Costa Rica Friday and take on Uruguay, who lost to Costa Rica 1-3.

Meanwhile, Colombia booked a berth in the knockout stage after beating Ivory Coast 2-1 in Group C.

Colombia, who defeated Greece 3-0 in their opening match, went ahead with two goals from James Rodriguez and Juan Fernando Quintero in the 64th and 70th minute. Gervinho made it 2-1 for the Ivoirians with a superb individual goal.

In the other Group C clash, Japan was held goalless by a 10-man Greece after squandering numerous scoring chances.

Greek skipper Katsouranis was out after picking up his second yellow card in the 38th minute as he slid in and mistimed his challenge on Japan's captain Hasebe.

Suarez, 27, named the Man of the Match, said after the match that his family, teammates and coaches gave him great support during his recovery.

"I feel so great today and I will keep my form in the upcoming matches," he said.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said: "Suarez is a wonderful player. We admire him."

During the tight match, Wayne Rooney scored his first World Cup goal and his 40th for England, taking him joint-fourth on his country's all-time goalscorers list - level with Michael Owen.

Suarez haunted his Liverpool teammates in the 39th minute when the ball was spread to forward Edinson Cavani on the Uruguay left. Cavani chipped a delicate ball in to the onrushing Suarez, who nodded superbly past England keeper Joe Hart.

In the 75th minute, England defender Glen Johnson made great progress down the right and played the ball across the penalty area. It bounced across to Rooney, who touched home with his left foot.

It was elation for Uruguay and heartbreak for England in the 85th minute when Suarez broke through a static Three Lions defense, smashing home past Hart.

The two-man striking force of Suarez and Cavani played a key role in Uruguay's win. When the tireless Cavani crafted, grafted and combined well with Suarez for the opening goal, it was the work of two world-class attackers with experience of multiple games together at the highest level.

Suarez's low crosses, from play or corners, troubled his opponents far more than the flurry of first-half corners which England pitched high into the Uruguay box. Twice Joe Hart was caught out at the near post.

Uruguay defender and captain Diego Godin was booked in the 14th minute. Uruguay are now on five cards (4 yellow and 1 red) at Brazil 2014, the most for any team.

Tabarez said: "We haven't survived the group yet. The match against Italy will be very tough."

England coach Roy Hodgson said that his team will fight to the end and play all out in the game against Costa Rica.