SAN FRANCISCO, November 18, (THEWILL) –Â Brazil maintained their perfect start to World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo on Tuesday in their CONMEBOL qualification series for South America.
While Brazil made a bright start to the game (in the absence of injured Neymar), it was Uruguay (in the absence of Luis Suarez) who went closest to an early opener. In the fifth minute, Benfica centre forward Darwin Nunez powered an effort onto the crossbar from inside the area after cutting inside from the left.
The first half came alive, after a relatively even opening, in the 11 minutes before half-time when Brazil struck twice to both take the lead and double the advantage.
In the 34th minute, Arthur opened the scoring for his debut international goal. The Juventus midfielder accepted a Gabriel Jesus pass before his 20-yard effort took a huge deflection to wrongfoot goalkeeper Martin Campana.
Campana did better to deny Roberto Firmino’s great chance two minutes. But, Brazil would double their lead through Richarlison. A short corner allowed an unmarked Richarlison to angle his head on the end of a Renan Lodi cross and make it 2-0.
Uruguay was denied by the woodwork again in the first half as Diego Godin’s header bounced off the crossbar after Nicolas De La Cruz’s set-piece.
In the second period, Uruguay’s comeback chances were hampered by the sending off of Edinson Cavani in the 71st minute. The initial yellow issued to the veteran for a challenge on Richarlison was upgraded to a red following a VAR check.
Just as Martin Caceres thought he had given the hosts hope with a goal shortly after, it was correctly ruled out for offside and Uruguay was left unable to find a way back into the contest.
So far, Brazil have made a dream start with four wins from four. Tite’s charges finished top of the 2018 standings with 12 wins. They are on track for another dominant campaign.
Uruguay’s winless run against Brazil extends to 11 games. Their last victory came in 2001. With some luck, Nunez and Godin who struck the crossbar in the first half could have scored just as the Caceres’ effort in the second half could have counted to give the result a different look.
Brazil and Uruguay continue their qualifying campaigns in March next year. Tite’s men will face Colombia and Argentina, while Uruguay meet Lionel Scaloni’s side and Bolivia.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
