Wednesday, 18th June, 2014
Former England captain Gary Lineker has called on his nation to put in a similar display against Uruguay on Thursday to that produced against Italy in their World Cup opener last week.
Despite going down 2-1 against the Italians on 14th June, the Three Lions put in a good performance at the Arena Amazonia.
And Lineker, who was pleased with England’s display but not the result at the weekend, wants his country to play without fear against the Uruguayans in the crunch game at the Arena Corinthians.
"It was an encouraging performance against Italy even if it was a rotten result," he told the BBC.
"There is nothing for England to fear. What they have to do is reproduce the performance they showed against Italy."
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England boasted the highest pass completion rate in the opposition half going into Tuesday's matches with 89.5 per cent.
And Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 80 appearances for England, lauded the achievement of Roy Hodgson’s side.
"Those statistics were extraordinary for an England team", he added.
"I cannot remember England coming close to another team when it comes to those sorts of passing statistics."
England are currently third-placed in Group D and will take on Costa Rica in their final group stage game on Tuesday.
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