Former Saints boss Glenn Hoddle lamented the fact that Roy Hodgson's side are now staring down the barrel of an early World Cup exit due to a "schoolboy" error.

Hoddle was critical of the manner in which the game was lost in the closing stages.

"It's a schoolboy goal," he said. "One punt down the pitch. You won't see another goal in the World Cup like that."

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez had put Uruguay in front in the first half before Wayne Rooney gave England hope with a poacher's finish in the 75th minute.

Just when it looked like Hodgson's men were in the ascendancy, Suarez pounced to leave England relying on Italy to win both of their remaining games.

"We were beaten by a world class finisher," Hoddle added. "If we had a finisher like that we'd have won both games. Suarez was the difference tonight. He was very quiet apart from his two goals."

Hoddle, who led England to the 1998 World Cup in France, acknowledged that there are problems to work on and highlighted creativity in the final third as an issue.

"We do have problems, I think there is a lack of movement in the final third and there are lot of things we need to work on," he said.

Gary Lineker also focused on England's defensive woes, tweeting during the match: "Our defending is appalling!"

However, the 1986 golden boot winner also praised Suarez's striking prowess on the social media site.

"I must say, Suarez is a phenomenon. His performance defies belief," he said.