Disappointing English Performance

English football has a ton of money, and even more prestige.

But what it doesn't have is good young talent.

Their best young prospect 10 years ago, Wayne Rooney, has proven in this match to have matured to be a forward who cannot hit the target from 10 metres out, with an open, gaping net. (Yes, I am referring to his chance to make it 2-2 in the 62nd minute.)

And their new young prospects, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge, look very crude and uneven.

Even though Sturridge scored, it was surely because of uncharacteristic Italian bad defending - after just going ahead, too, how unusual for an Italian squad! (- But this is a squad managed by cesare prandelli, so...) - rather than because of English prowess.

Italy played more attacking football than expected, particularly in the sweltering heat of Manaus, in the Amazonian area of Brazil, but England almost matched them. Except for scoring that second goal (- but they came close).

The only ray of sunshine for England after this defeat is the fact that Uruguay failed to get any points from the Costa Rica match, which may mean easy matches to come.