England was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup in 1950 in Brazil. It looks like history will repeat itself this year as England enters the second of three Groups of Death in the 2014 World Cup.
The British would have loved to be in France or Russia's position and draw easy groups that included Switzerland, Ecuador, Honduras, Algeria, Belgium and South Korea. Instead, the Three Lions get Uruguay, Italy and Costa Rica. England's first test will be Italy, the team that took it down in the 2012 Euro Cup quarterfinals. Joe Hart, if he starts for England in goal, will get a chance to potentially exorcise the demons of Andrea Pirlo when these two sides meet but England's record stands at eight wins, six draws and 10 losses against Italy. The team then takes on Uruguay and Luis Suarez, the man the entire nation hates. Suarez and Cavani are two of the top strikers in the world and will make life impossible for England's weak defense. England has won three, drawn four and lost four against Uruguay in their history.
The final match will be against Costa Rica, which has proven to be on the rise with wins over the United States and Mexico in the World Cup qualifiers. Do not be surprised if this final match means little to England in terms of qualifying for the knockout rounds.
Uruguay has never lost against Costa Rica; it holds a record of seven wins and three draws and will likely benefit from this draw right away. The game against England could be challenging but should be the major difference in this group while the final group game against Italy will give the team a chance to redeem the loss in the Confederations Cup last summer. Uruguay has a record of two wins, three draws and three losses against the Italians.
Cesare Prandelli's side is the favorite to win the group, but Italy is likely ruing the fact that it was drawn into Pot X on Friday instead of France. In the old system, the lowest seeded team from the group with an extra side would be drawn into the second pot. France would have been the team that got picked if this system was followed. France has a group that features Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras; a draw Italy would have undoubtedly relished. The Italians faltered in an "easy" group four years ago but have improved massively since.
Costa Rica is the underdog here, but could surprise if other teams underestimate it.
Prediction: Italy wins all three games while Uruguay manages two victories; England wins against Costa Rica and winds up finishing third.
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