England

2-1

Uruguay

Crouch 75, Cole 90

 

Pouso 25


International Friendly
Liverpool FC
Wednesday 1 March 2006

Joe Cole scored a late, late winner to cap a man-of-the-match performance and seal victory for England in the Three Lions’ final game before Sven Goran Eriksson names his World Cup squad.

In what proved to be night of mixed fortunes at Anfield, England overcame the stubborn and skilful Uruguayans to score twice through Peter Crouch and Cole in the final quarter of the game.

But the night was marred by a worrying injury for Wayne Bridge, who had only recently returned to action following a badly broken left ankle.

The full-back had to leave the field on a stretcher in the 30th minute after colliding with goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

With Ashley Cole still injured and no other specialist left-back in the squad, Jamie Carragher filled in admirably for Bridge on the night. Carragher used to play in that position for Liverpool under Gerard Houllier, but Eriksson will still be keen to take a specialist left-back to Germany this summer.

It looked like it was going to be a frustrating night for England, who struggled to make headway against the technically good Uruguayans.

Michael Carrick was tried in a holding role and acquitted himself admirably, and with Cole and Wayne Rooney trying to open the scoring, England threatened without unduly worrying keeper Fabian Carini.

But the keeper did save well from Cole before Uruguay took a surprise lead in the 26th minute when Omar Pouso volleyed home in spectacular style from 35 yards following a corner.

Eriksson brought on Ledley King and Jermain Jenas at half-time but it was the arrival of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Crouch that really changed the game.

Crouch rose at the far post to head home a deep cross from Cole in the 75th minute to score his first England goal and equalise, and then Wright Phillips crossed for Cole to sweep in a half-volley at the near post in the third minute of stoppage time.

In the end, England’s fans went home happy, but the big worry remains over Bridge.

England: Paul Robinson, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry (Ledley King 46), Wayne Bridge (Jamie Carragher 30), David Beckham (Shaun Wright-Phillips 63), Michael Carrick, Steven Gerrard (Jermaine Jenas 46), Joe Cole, Wayne Rooney (Peter Crouch 63), Darren Bent (Jermain Defoe 80)

Subs: Luke Young, David James, Jamie Carragher, Ledley King, Wes Brown, Kieran Richardson, Jermaine Jenas, Jermain Defoe, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Peter Crouch, Robert Green,

Uruguay: F Carini (Viera 46), C Diogo, D Lugano, D Godin, P Lima, O Pouso, D Perez, G Varela (Valdes 90), G Vargas (Pereira 73), M Reguiro (Martinez 83), D Forlan (Medina 86)

Subs: C Valdez, A Medina, J Martinez, S Viera, M Pereira, A Sarkissian, J Salgueiro, I Gonzalez

Attendance: 40,013

Team Colours
England: Red Shirts, White Shorts, Red Socks
Goakeeper: Dark Blue

Uruguay: Light Blue Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks
Goalkeeper: Grey

Match Officials
Referee: Stefano Farina
Assistants: Gabriele Contini (Italy) and Maurizio Toscano (Italy)
Fourth Official: Martin Atkinson (England)

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