That concludes our commentary of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match between Brazil and Uruguay! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Brazil are in action again next month, when they host Colombia on November 11. The tough tests continue for Uruguay, who meet Argentina on the same day.
Brazil’s hard work was done in the first half despite a late Uruguay strike as the Selecao emerge victorious with a deserving 4-1 scoreline. Neymar’s goal 10 minutes into the match was just reward for the hosts’ positive start and that lead was doubled just eight minutes later thanks to Raphinha’s intelligent run to the far post, which allowed for an easy finish after Neymar’s rebound. The Leeds United winger would double his tally 13 minutes after the restart which put Tite’s side in a commanding lead. A late Suarez free-kick looked to make it a contest with 10 minutes remaining, but Gabi’s header at the 83rd minute put the result beyond doubt. The win restores Brazil’s six-point lead at the top of the table, while Uruguay remain fifth.
90′ + 6′ FULL-TIME: BRAZIL 4-1 URUGUAY.
90′ + 5′ Neymar fails to hit the target from the set-piece as he curls his effort over the crossbar.
90′ + 3′ Coates takes Neymar down cynically just outside the penalty area. It’s a real chance late in the game for the Selecao to make it five as the centre-back is shown a yellow card.
90′ The fourth official indicates five minutes will be added to the end of the 90 for stoppages.
Edenílson
Fred
88′ Edenilson gets a chance to stretch his legs with two minutes remaining. Fred is the man to make way.
87′ Just as Uruguay look to have a lifeline, it’s taken away thanks to Gabi’s perfectly placed header. The hosts have been in good form all match and are thoroughly deserving of their win.
85′ Uruguay haven’t beaten Brazil since a 1-0 win in World Cup qualifying in 2001 – 13 meetings ago.
Neymar
Assist
83′ Neymar’s second assist of the day leads to Brazil’s fourth goal as the Selecao are thoroughly in command.
Gabriel Barbosa
Goal
83′ GABI’S GOAL ALLOWED AFTER V.A.R! 4-1! Neymar receives the ball from Antony in the inside-left channel and picks his head up before putting a cross to the far post for Gabi. The substitute striker takes his header well and beats Muslera which prompts a lengthy video review to determine whether the forward was offside. The player himself seemed confident and for good reason, as the referee emphatically gives it!
81′ Antony plays a pass forward for Neymar, who opts to hit the strike at the first time of asking with his weaker left foot. It’s a great chance, but the forward can only hit the side netting.
79′ The referee blows his whistle right after Suarez’s goal and calls for a water break. With just over 10 minutes left in the match, can Uruguay mount an incredible comeback?
L. Suárez
Goal
77′ SUAREZ MAKES IT 3-1! The striker stands over a Uruguay free-kick 25 yards from goal and hits a low, powerful effort into the far corner – putting his strike just outside of Ederson’s reach!
76′ Uruguay’s free-kick from the left is taken to the near post in search of Cavani, but Emerson is there to intercept the delivery and clear it quickly.
74′ Neymar drives into the penalty area from the left and cuts inside, riding two challenges before squaring a pass for Gabi. It’s a perfect pass from the PSG forward, but his team-mate can only hit Muslera with his strike as the goalkeeper once again denies his opponent.
72′ Brazil’s ensuing free-kick is taken to the near post for Gabi, who is swarmed by three defenders as the ball rolls behind for a goal-kick.
F. Gorriarán
R. Bentancur
71′ Gorriaran is introduced as Bentancur will play no further part in proceedings.
Éverton Ribeiro
Raphinha
71′ Ribeiro replaces Raphinha, who made his influence felt right from the first whistle.
Douglas Luiz
Fabinho
71′ Fabinho’s match is over with less than 20 minutes remaining as Luiz is sent on in his place.
E. Cavani
Yellow Card
70′ Cavani is booked for a foul on Neymar, pushing his former club team-mate over from behind during the Brazil forward’s path towards goal.
67′ Neymar goes down inside the penalty area holding his face after a coming-together with Coates. It appears as though the defender caught the PSG forward with a trailing arm, although it doesn’t appear to be intentional as the referee denies the penalty claims.
F. Torres
M. Vecino
65′ Torres is sent on by Tabarez as a replacement for Vecino.
65′ PHENOMENAL SAVE! Antony bursts into the penalty area from the left and takes on Coates, putting it through the legs of the centre-back in order to find a square pass to Gabi. The substitute striker takes a first-time shot but Muserla rises high to fist the ball over the crossbar!
63′ Uruguay haven’t conceded three goals in back-to-back matches since a 3-1 defeat to the Republic of Ireland and a 3-0 loss to Italy in friendly games in June 2017.
Gabriel Barbosa
Gabriel Jesus
61′ A roar from the crowd greets Gabi, who is sent on for Jesus.
Antony
Lucas Paquetá
61′ Brazil make a pair of substitutions with 30 minutes remaining. The first sees Paqueta replaced by Antony.
Neymar
Assist
58′ Neymar gets himself on the score sheet again – this time with an assist – intelligently playing it forward for the charging Raphinha who beat Muslera easily.
Raphinha
Goal
58′ 3-0 BRAZIL! IT’S RAPHINHA AGAIN! Brazil’s rapid counter-attack pays dividends as Jesus’ pass forward for Neymar is redirected into the path of Raphinha, who beats Piquerez for pace before pocketing his strike in the far corner!
56′ CAVANI SCORES BUT IT’S OFFSIDE! It’s a simple finish from the Manchester United striker, who is played through on-goal by a clever Valverde pass but the linesman flags immediately for offside as Cavani was unable to hold his run.
55′ Verissimo looks to release Raphinha down the right wing with a lobbed pass but the defender miscues his delivery as it rolls out for a throw-in.
53′ A heavy touch takes the ball away from Piquerez thanks to a well-timed tackle from Fabinho, who is fouled by the substitute full-back on the follow-through. It’s a free-kick for Brazil which ends a promising Uruguay move.
51′ Raphinha takes a Brazil corner from the left to the far post for Jesus, but the winger gets his delivery wrong – sending it wrapping around the post and out for a goal-kick.
49′ Valverde steps forward and takes a touch to set himself before firing a strike from 20 yards out which forces Ederson into a diving catch.
F. Valverde
Yellow Card
47′ Valverde’s poor tackle on Emerson gets him in trouble with the referee, who was well-placed to see the foul. It’s a yellow card for the Real Madrid midfielder.
46′ Uruguay get the match restarted from the kick-off!
J. Piquerez
M. Viña
46′ Vina, who appeared to pick up a knock at the end of the first half, is taken off at the interval for Piquerez.
L. Torreira
N. De La Cruz
46′ Torreira gets a chance to show what he’s got in the second half as a replacement for De La Cruz.
M. Cáceres
N. Nández
46′ Caceres is in for Nandez as Uruguay make a defensive change at half-time.
Uruguay have little alternative in the second half as they’ll be forced to come out and attack in hopes of getting something from the match. Having not scored in their last two and a half matches, the Celeste will need inspiration from somewhere in order to get back in the match. With Rodriguez and Nunez on the bench they have capable goal scorers to call upon, though should Brazil continue in their resolute shape – it will take some breaking down.
Brazil are fully in control in Manaus as they take a deserved 2-0 lead into the half-time interval. The hosts were positive from the outset and got their reward early when Fred’s clever pass over the top found Neymar with enough space for the PSG forward to beat Muslera. Raphinha doubled the advantage just eight minutes later, when his intelligent run took him to the far post, where he was able to tuck Neymar’s rebound past the goalkeeper. The Celeste for their part did precious little going forward, with Bentancur’s shot from distance the only real action in Brazil’s defensive half.
45′ + 4′ HALF-TIME: BRAZIL 2-0 URUGUAY.
45′ + 2′ Vina looks to have a problem with his left leg after a close-range block on an Emerson strike. After receiving some attention he appears able to continue, at the very least until half-time.
45′ The fourth official indicates four minutes will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.
Fabinho
Yellow Card
43′ Fabinho’s mistimed sliding challenge catches De La Cruz, which brings the winger down cynically. It’s a yellow card for the Liverpool midfielder.
42′ Uruguay are in possession but they are finding it difficult moving past half, with everybody except for Cavani and Suarez inside the defensive third. If Tabarez’s side want to cut the deficit before the half, they’ll have to get higher up the pitch.
40′ FANTASTIC SAVE! Neymar is able to sort his feet out on the penalty spot and fire a half-volley towards Muslera, who drops low immediately to make an incredible point-blank reaction stop!
39′ Raphinha swings the free-kick towards the near post but Bentancur is the first to meet it – heading it away from danger promptly.
38′ Vina’s poor two-footed tackle is mistimed, catching the shins of Emerson who had ventured forward in order to attack. It’s a set-piece for Brazil in a good position to cross.
36′ GREAT CHANCE! Juventus’ Bentancur cuts inside into space from the right wing and hits a powerful shot that narrowly misses the far corner!
34′ Neymar is sent to the ground by Nandez, who caught the PSG forward in an off-the-ball incident. It’s a frustrated tackle from the Uruguay left-back, who has been struggling to keep up.
32′ The match resumes from a goal-kick as Muslera puts the ball back in play.
30′ Brazil have not yet conceded a goal at home in World Cup qualifying, while Uruguay has only hit the back of the net thrice as the visitor in their last five matches (amassing just five out of a possible 15 points in that time).
28′ The referee blows his whistle with just under 20 minutes remaining in the half, as the two sides will pause momentarily for a water break.
26′ Paqueta’s quick footwork gets him by Nandez and into the penalty area down the byline. The Lyon midfielder centres a pass that goes out to to the edge of the 18-yard box for Fabinho, whose eventual shot is put well over the crossbar.
24′ De La Cruz has a sight at goal and fires a low shot towards Ederson but it never looks likely to hit the target as it drifts harmlessly wide.
22′ Cavani is forced to play 10 yards outside his own penalty area as Uruguay are coming under siege from the ascendant Selecao. The visitors are finding it extremely difficult to win the ball back and even when they do, they are finding it difficult to move up the pitch.
20′ Raphinha has been tremendous coming off the bench for Tite this qualification period and has fully merited his start today. His goal after 18 minutes is his third goal contribution thus far, after two assists in Brazil’s 3-1 win over Venezuela.
Raphinha
Goal
18′ RAPHINHA MAKES IT 2-0 BRAZIL! Neymar receives the ball inside the penalty area and curls a shot to the far post, which is pushed wide by a sprawling Muslera. The goalkeeper can only prod it into the path of Raphinha, who continues his run to the back stick and tucks the ball away with his left despite the acute angle!
16′ A nice one-two sequence with Neymar in midfield looks to put Fred clean through into the penalty area, but a heavy touch gifts possession back to Godin on the edge of his 18-yard box.
14′ Jesus is again sent to the ground; this time Vecino is the culprit as the Inter midfielder’s dangling leg catches the Manchester City winger. It’s another free-kick for the hosts, as Uruguay seem happy to constantly break up play.
12′ De La Cruz body checks Jesus, sending him up into the air before dropping in a heap. It’s just a free-kick for the hosts, which prompts Tite into an angry word with the fourth official.
Fred
Assist
10′ Fred’s perfectly weighted pass over the top of the defence is credited as the assist.
Neymar
Goal
10′ NEYMAR OPENS THE SCORING! 1-0 BRAZIL! It’s lovely stuff from Brazil as Fred plays an inviting ball over the top of the defence, where it drops absolutely perfectly for Neymar – who weaves in-between two defenders to latch onto possession. Muslera is drawn off his line and from there it’s a simple finish into an open goal!
8′ Uruguay win the ball back in midfield after Paqueta’s sloppy pass from the left is intercepted. It looks to be a good opportunity to break quickly, but Cavani is forced to turn back and pass into defence as he was unable to find a team-mate ahead of him.
6′ Emerson is too eager to win the ball back from Cavani on the left wing – charging through the back of the striker and bringing him down to his knees. It’s a free-kick for the visitors but nothing more.
4′ Neymar cuts inside from the left and hammers a right-footed shot towards goal, which Muslera does well to contain before bringing it in.
3′ Neymar drives towards goal after a clever disguised pass down the left from Paqueta, but Coates comes across to turn it behind for a corner.
1′ Brazil get the match underway from the kick-off!
A change of system from their 3-0 defeat to Argentina brings with it two personnel adjustments as the Celeste revert to a back four. Bentancur is in for the injured Ronald Araujo, while Cavani gets the start ahead of Rodriguez.
Brazil make five changes from the XI that drew 0-0 with Colombia on Sunday. Ederson replaces Alisson in goal, while three changes to the defence see Silva, Verissimo and Emerson replace Eder Militao, Marquinhos and Danilo. A final swap is made on the right wing, where Gabi is dropped for Raphinha.
URUGUAY SUBS: Martin Campana, Sergio Rochet, Joaquin Piquerez, Giovanni Gonzalez, Martin Caceres, Fernando Gorriaran, Lucas Torreira, Augustin Alvarez, Gaston Pereiro, Brian Rodriguez, Darwin Nunez, Facundo Torres.
URUGUAY XI (4-4-2): Fernando Muslera; Nahitan Nandez, Sebastian Coates, Diego Godin, Matias Vina; Federico Valverde, Matias Vecino, Rodrigo Bentancur, Nicolas De La Cruz; Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani.
BRAZIL SUBS: Alisson, Weverton, Danilo, Marquinhos, Guilherme Arana, Everton Ribeiro, Gerson, Edenilson, Douglas Luiz, Gabriel Barbosa, Antony, Vinicius Junior.
BRAZIL XI (4-4-2): Ederson; Alex Sandro, Thiago Silva, Lucas Verissimo, Emerson; Lucas Paqueta, Fred, Fabinho, Raphinha; Neymar Jr, Gabriel Jesus.
With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides will be lining up – starting with our hosts!
Last match was one to forget for Uruguay, who lost comprehensively to Argentina by a score of 3-0. Oscar Tabarez’s side sit in fifth position at the start of play today, which would guarantee them an opportunity to qualify for the World Cup via a play-in, though only one point separates the Celeste from Ecuador in third.
In full-control at the top of the section, Brazil’s perfect record to start the campaign was ended last time out by Colombia, who earned a point from the Selecao after a tight 0-0 contest. Able to boast both the best defence and the most prolific attack, Tite’s side will offer a host of problems for Uruguay, who don’t have a sterling record against their hosts.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Uruguay!
S. Coates
Yellow Card