After Losing To Italy In World Cup Opener Can England Qualify From Their Group?

Both England and Italy knew they needed a good start in their opening game of the 2014 World Cup, but one thing was in their way, each other. Both teams attacked, and despite the blistering heat, they continued to attack and attack, not preparing to settle for anything less than a win. After seeing group underdogs Costa Rica beat Uruguay 3-1, the group was considered a free-for-all. England fell to a close 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Italians, so can they still win, or qualify from their World Cup group?

The beauty of the World Cup group stage is that one win and one loss can be key to the entire tournament. With both England and Uruguay losing on the opening day of their group, they are both facing the World Cup trap door. Luckily for both, they play one another next. The winner will have a fairly good chance of qualifying, and the loser will be out, or a draw would keep both teams in the running for their final game.

England played very well and could've beaten Italy, or at least drawn, if things had fallen a little differently, but Italy were able to hold on despite constant England pressure. England are usually a slow, somewhat boring team, however, they were full of attacking intent, and they can feel hard done by in losing. However, their performance was better than Uruguay's in their defeat, so they will fancy their chances of beating them.

If England can avoid defeat, and play in the same manner in their next game, then they will know they still have a shot at winning the group, or at least taking second place. Time is running out, though, so they'd better respond positively and quickly.