Former champions England were today on the verge of early elimination from the World Cup after Uruguay star striker Luiz Suarez returned from injury to score two stunning goals in his side’s dramatic 2-1 win in a thrilling group match here yesterday.

Suarez, who did not play in his side’s shock 1-3 loss against Costa Rica, returned from a knee surgery last month to haunt the country where he plays club football for Liverpool to score in the 39th and 85th minutes and keep Uruguay afloat in the tournament.

England, who had lost to Italy 1-2 in their opening match, equalised through Wayne Rooney’s maiden World Cup goal in his third tournament appearance and 10th match.

The dramatic match at the Arena Corinthians looked like heading for a draw — which would have kept both the sides afloat in the tournament — with a re-energised England after Rooney’s equaliser even threatening to score the winning goal.

But it was not to be the day of England, and a mistake by captain Steven Gerrard, who could not clear a long kick by Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera properly, sent his Liverpool team-mate Suarez in the clear to send the ball past England goalie and bury it into the net.

Earlier, Suarez met a fine cross from strike partner Edinson Cavanihad with a perfect header which beat England goalie Joe Hart to his right goal.

England now face the prospect of making one of the earliest return home from a World Cup. They had also crashed out of the first stage in 1950 and 1958.

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