Brazil 2-2 Uruguay: Depleted Celeste rally via returning hero Suarez
The Barcelona man ended his international exile in
spectacular style by firing home to grab a draw in Recife, after Douglas
Costa and Renato Augusto gave Dunga's men a dream start
Luis Suarez celebrated his return to the ranks by salvaging a draw for the Celeste, as were held 2-2 in Friday's World Cup qualifier.
Brazil needed just 40 seconds to take the lead in Recife through
Douglas Costa after the Uruguayan defence failed to deal with Willian's
dangerous cross from the right.
The home side doubled their advantage just after the midway point of
the first half when Renato Augusto capitalised on Alvaro Pereira's
failed clearance to smash the ball into the net.
But Uruguay did not take long to pull one back, with Edinson Cavani
converting from close range to breathe some life back into the game for
the visitors.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez took off Cristian Rodriguez for Alvaro
Gonzalez at the break and they found themselves level four minutes into
the second half.
Suarez was played through by Pereira and the nation's all-time
leading goalscorer extended his record with an equaliser to ensure the
points were shared.
After just 10 passes from kick-off Brazil had the lead, with
Willian's dangerous cross eluding the Uruguay defence, allowing Bayern
Munich's Costa to guide the ball home from close range.
Neymar had the opportunity to double the lead in the eighth minute
after a well-worked free-kick, but his strike blasted into the
side-netting from just outside the six-yard box.
Uruguay were hardly threatening early on, with a Suarez header from a
free-kick the closest they came to getting an effort on goal, while
Neymar had a tame shot saved by Fernando Muslera.
Brazil did eventually make it 2-0 in the 26th minute when Neymar
played a cutting through ball to Renato Augusto, with the Beijing Guoan
midfielder fooling Muslera with a dummy before smashing the ball into an
empty net.
However, Uruguay struck back five minutes later, with Pereira nutmegging Willian before playing a cross to Carlos Sanchez, and the Monterrey winger headed the ball back for an unmarked Cavani to make it 2-1.
However, Uruguay struck back five minutes later, with Pereira nutmegging Willian before playing a cross to Carlos Sanchez, and the Monterrey winger headed the ball back for an unmarked Cavani to make it 2-1.
Neymar had a strike from distance fizz past the post, while Costa hit
the side-netting as the hosts took a slender advantage into the break.
But their lead did not last long into the second half after Pereira
played through Suarez, with the Barcelona forward tucking a shot under
Brazil goalkeeper Alisson to make it 2-2.
While the chances petered out, the game began to heat up, with Suarez
and Neymar among those shown yellow cards by Argentine referee Nestor
Fabian Pitana.
Suarez had a chance to seal the three points late in a one-on-one
with Alisson but the Internacional shot-stopper denied the 28-year-old
with his leg, with the game ending all square.
Uruguay remain second in the 10-man group with 10 points, while Brazil move up to third.
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