Passing
Restored to his favoured position of number ten, Rooney was England's creative hub - dictating the pace of their play. However, tempo was occasionally lacking from the Three Lions in spite of the striker’s best efforts.
Frequently Rooney would switch the play toward Glen Johnson or produce an eye catching pass to set up an England foray forward.
Shooting
Finally! Finally Rooney got off the mark at the World Cup but for a long time it did not look like it would come. First the striker bent an excellent free-kick just over, and then he hit somehow rattled the crossbar with a header from just a yard out with the game goalless.
That opportunity was difficult for the United man in some regards given the difficulty in getting over the ball but he must have pondered if his maiden goal would ever come when his well hit strike was saved by Fernando Muslera.
However, it did come and it was by far the easiest of the lot when Rooney tapped in Glen Johnson’s cross 15 minutes from time to equalise – sadly it would make little difference in the end.
Defence
Rooney showed his typical tenacity in challenges and tracked back when required. A solid effort but it was going forward that the striker made his impact.
Movement
Rooney looked far sharper than during the defeat to Italy, however he was occasionally caught out by the tight pressing of two or three Uruguayan man markers.
But the striker overcame this with aplomb, spinning in and out of challenges to drive England onwards, albeit in vain.
VERDICT
A rare bright spot on what transpired to be a horrible night for English football. Rooney finally stepped up to the plate at a World Cup but his team-mates were found desperately lacking in Sao Paulo.
The striker finally showed the undoubted talent he has and looked to be the only man truly pushing the Three Lions on when they trailed to Uruguay on both occasions.
Sadly it is likely to be the Manchester United star's last World Cup, however, there could remain a European Championship in him.
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