• World Cup

Forlan: England were afraid of Suarez

Andy Mitten | ESPN FC
June 21, 2014
Sublime Suarez sinks England

Diego Forlan has told ESPN that England were scared when they saw Luis Suarez was starting for Uruguay, and believes if the Liverpool striker was fully fit he could have scored more than two goals.

Suarez struck twice as England were defeated 2-1 by Uruguay in Sao Paulo to leave Roy Hodgson's side on the brink of an early World Cup exit - confirmed on Friday when Costa Rica shocked Italy.

He had sat out the first game after recently undergoing knee surgery but returned with great effect against England and Forlan believes his presence was the difference between the sides.

'Devastated' Hodgson backed by FA

"He got three good chances," he told ESPN FC. "The first, he scored. The second one, he hit wide. A fit Luis would have scored that. And the third one, he scored to win the game.

"He never stopped fighting. That's Luis, he's never changed, not since I first saw him as a 17-year-old. I think England were afraid of him because they knew what he's done while playing in England."

England fans have been disappointed in their 2014 World Cup campaign which has seen defeats to Italy and Uruguay, but while Forlan concedes the fans have every right to be disappointed he believes there is enough talent to be hopeful of achieving more in the future.

He added: "They [England fans] watch one of the best leagues in the world and I think it's natural for them to have high expectations. They probably feel that they should be one of the best national sides.

"They have some good young players like Sterling and Sturridge. They could do really well."

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