Uruguay named fit-again striker Luis Suarez in the starting line-up and England kept faith with Wayne Rooney as both teams fight to save their World Cup campaigns.
Liverpool’s Suarez, last season’s Premier League top-scorer, will partner Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani up front after recovering from knee surgery last month.
Rooney retained his place in an England team sheet that was unchanged from last week’s 2-1 loss to Italy. The Manchester United striker’s form has attracted fierce debate in English media.
For Uruguay, Diego Godin got the nod as captain after regular skipper and fellow defender Diego Lugano was ruled out with a knee problem.
Uruguay also lost their opening Group D game, 3-1 to Costa Rica, meaning Thursday’s clash in Sao Paulo is one neither side can afford to lose.
Just over an hour before kick-off at a rapidly filling Corinthians Arena, temperatures were at a cool 16 degrees C (61 F) and overcast.
Uruguay
Fernando Muslera; Martin Caceres, Jose Maria Gimenez, Diego Godin (capt), Alvaro Pereira; Alvaro Gonzalez, Egidio Arevalo Rios, Nicolas Lodeiro, Cristian Rodriguez; Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez
England
Joe Hart; Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines; Steven Gerrard (capt), Jordan Henderson; Raheem Sterling, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck; Daniel Sturridge