Cole and Crouch save England against Uruguay

LIVERPOOL, England, Mar 2 (Reuters) Midfielder Joe Cole lined up an equaliser and then scored a stoppage-time winner to give England a 2-1 comeback victory over Uruguay in a friendly at Anfield yesterday.

Uruguay, chosen because of their similar playing style to England's future World Cup group rivals Paraguay, looked set for victory after midfielder Omar Pouso fired home a stunning 25-metre volley in the 26th minute.

But towering substitute Peter Crouch spared England's blushes by scoring his first goal for his country in the 75th minute, rising at the far post to head in a teasing cross from Cole.

The Chelsea midfielder then went one better in the third minute of stoppage time on a cold night on Merseyside, flicking home the winner from close range to seal an unlikely and barely-deserved victory.

REUTERS DH RAI0448