Suarez’ Post-Match Comments

What Coach Luis Suarez had to say after his team’s 0-1 second-round loss to England. Per FIFA:

“It was an intense game, very nervy for both teams and it was only ever going to be resolved by a stroke of genius, such as Beckham’s – it was impossible to save that free-kick. There is a lot of respect between the two teams, and above all that’s down to what the England coach now thinks of us.

I’m very proud of my players. I don’t know what would have happened if (Carlos) Tenorio had taken that chance, but without doubt the situation would have changed. I was sorry that he didn’t score, but it’s a matter of luck. Our performance in the tournament was very good. Our first aim was to get past the group stage, and we did that. We then wanted to go on and achieve more, because we were playing with spirit and confidence, but we couldn’t.

However, we’re happy because of what we’ve achieved. Ecuador won over (people watching) the World Cup and also won over the sceptics. People said that we could only win at altitude in Quito, but that view has changed. “