FIFA World Cup 2014: Oh! Gerrard

Sao Paulo: England captain Steven Gerrard regretted his error that led to Uruguay’s winning goal on Thursday, saying inexperience had cost his team, who now need a miracle to stay in the World Cup.

Luis Suarez, back in action just four weeks after knee surgery, scored twice in the tense Group ‘D’ encounter, either side of Wayne Rooney’s first ever World Cup goal in Sao Paulo.

For the second goal, Gerrard mistimed a header in midfield and it fell to Liverpool teammate Suarez, who smashed home the winner five minutes from time. The veteran 34-year-old midfielder, who said the result was a “personal low”, admitted the goals conceded were “sloppy”.

“We have to take responsibility for that as a team,” he said.

“The first one, he’s peeled off onto the back post, it’s a fantastic ball by (Edinson) Cavani. We’ll have to look at that. The second one I’ve tried to get good contact on the ball and I haven’t got good enough contact on it,” the English captain added.

Gerrard said perhaps the side should have settled for a point after equalising with just 15 minutes to go. “I just thought when we got the equaliser today we needed to be a bit more clever, a bit more cute, be a bit more difficult to beat,” said the midfielder.

“Maybe accept that going for a point might be the best option but they were weak at the back. They were there for the taking and once we got the equaliser we tried to take the initiative,” he added.

The result leaves England pointless, and tough for qualification.

“It’s a really tough moment for everyone in the dressing room but we need to be professional and keep fighting and play for that small glimmer of hope,” Gerrard said.