The Independent
·20 November 2024
The Independent
·20 November 2024
Brazil faced boos from their fans as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Uruguay in their latest World Cup qualifier.
The result leaves both teams well placed to secure one of the six automatic places on offer in South America, but home fans in Salvador aired their frustration at the end of the 90 minutes.
A match of few chances was settled by two moments of quality in the second half.
Brazil struggled to clear their lines 10 minutes into the second half, Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde making them pay as he curled in a shot from the edge of the box.
The hosts, who have recovered slightly from a slow start to qualification, were behind for only six minutes.
Gerson grabbed his first goal for his country with another spectacular strike from outside the box.
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Gerson secured Brazil a point with a brilliant goal (Getty Images)
The draw leaves Brazil in fifth place in the group - two points behind second-placed Uruguay and five ahead of Bolivia, who sit in seventh spot which will be good enough for a playoff berth.
“I think the booing is more about the result, because in my opinion we gave it all,” Raphinha said.
“I’m proud of those who played and even those on the bench. We did everything we could to get the result. We played a lot of football and we have to leave with our heads held high.”
Argentina, 1-0 winners at home to bottom side Peru, are top by five points while Ecuador survived losing Piero Hincapie to a first-half red card to move above Brazil into third with a 1-0 in Colombia, who drop to fourth.
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