Before the World Cup, Uruguay was worried about Luis Suarez's knee and Colombia was fretting over injured Radamel Falcao. Considering the wild celebrations yesterday, neither should have.

Less than a month after surgery, the incomparable Suarez came back yesterday to score two vital World Cup goals, and Colombia is through to the second round despite missing their star striker. Both South American teams won 2-1 yesterday, Uruguay pushing England to the brink of elimination, and Colombia beating Ivory Coast to advance from Group C, after Greece and Japan played to a scoreless draw.

South America's dominance

The results further underscored South America's dominance of the World Cup in Brazil. The continent's teams now have 25 points out of a possible 30.

Colombia continued to produce goals and victories even without Falcao. For Uruguay, Suarez reinvigorated their campaign after an opening 3-1 loss to Costa Rica. Uruguay is level with Italy and Costa Rica in Group D, and those teams meet today in Recife.

About 15 miles from the site of the Uruguay-England game in Sao Paulo, about 2,000 people protested against the World Cup, some smashing windows at banks and car dealerships and spray-painting anti-capitalist slogans on buildings.

With Uruguay under intense pressure in the 85th minute, Suarez gathered a long clearance that was accidentally headed on by England's Steven Gerrard, his Liverpool teammate. His knee was in full flow as he unleashed a drive that goalie Joe Hart barely had time to see fly by. Suarez fell to the ground in disbelief before he was mobbed by delirious teammates.

"He doesn't miss" from there, England coach Roy Hodgson said.