Oscar Tabarez has praised the fighting spirit of his Uruguay team as they beat England 2-1 on Thursday to boost their hopes of progressing into the second round of the World Cup.

Luis Suarez hit an 85th-minute winner to give La Celeste their first win of the campaign and send them level on points with Group D rivals Italy and Costa Rica, who have a game in hand with each other today.

Speaking to FIFA.com at full time, Tabarez said that his pre-match preparations were pointless as the clash in Sao Paulo was determined by Uruguay's "persistence" to win a war of attrition.

"We won because they were fighting. It was not to do with the training, but the persistence and will of my players.

"Maybe we don't play very attractive football but we have players who give everything on the field."

Suarez had earlier opened the scoring, heading Edinson Cavani's inch-perfect cross past Joe Hart on 39 minutes before pouncing again in timely fashion after Wayne Rooney had equalised.