Brazil leads World Cup qualifying group, Uruguay beats Colombia

Brazil unconvincingly beat Venezuela 1-Zero at residence, however that was sufficient for coach Tite’s crew to take the lead in South American World Cup qualifying with 9 factors from three matches. The successful objective in Sao Paulo was scored by Roberto Firmino from shut vary within the 67th minute.

Brazil didn’t have six gamers from its unique squad for the match, together with injured celebrity Neymar. They may even be absent for Tuesday’s conflict at Uruguay, which earlier beat Colombia away 3-0. Uruguay is in fourth place after the win in Barranquilla with six factors, one behind second place Argentina.

The prime 4 groups will mechanically qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The fifth-place crew will go into an inter-continental playoff.

BRAZIL

The Brazilians had 4 targets disallowed in the course of the match – three for offside reviewed by video assistant referee and one due to a foul. But that didn’t disguise the failings of a disorganized crew that had misplaced Neymar, midfielders Philippe Coutinho and Fabinho, and defenders Eder Militão, Rodrigo Caio and Gabriel Menino for the match.

Venezuela defended effectively throughout a lot of the match, however created little threat for goalkeeper Ederson. The solely objective of the match on the Morumbi stadium got here when midfielder Everton Ribeiro crossed from the fitting, left-back Renan Lodi received a head contest with Venezuelan defenders and the ball ended with Firmino, who simply pushed it to the web.

Firmino has scored in all three Brazil matches in World Cup qualifiers. Brazil’s final defeat in South American World Cup qualifiers was at Chile in 2015, however the efficiency and the absent gamers seemed that file is at critical threat at Uruguay.

URUGUAY

Uruguay defeated Colombia 3-Zero in a match marked by targets from its 33-year-old strikers Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez, and Darwin Nuñez added the third. Uruguay was with out key gamers together with goalkeeper Martín Silva, defender Sebastián Coates, midfielder Federico Valverde, and striker Maxi Gómez.

But a mistake by Colombia defender Yerry Mina within the fifth minute gave Uruguay the lead. Mina misplaced the ball close to his penalty field, Nahitan Nández pounced, and Cavani hit gently from shut vary, giving no likelihood to goalkeeper David Ospina.

Colombia missed an opportunity when Duván Zapata’s header hit the fitting publish. Uruguay got here again by a counterattack. Rodrigo Betancur stopped a Colombia push and fed Suárez. The striker handed it again to Betancur contained in the penalty field and the midfielder was introduced down by Jeison Murillo. Suárez, the highest objective scorer in South American qualifiers, netted his from the spot within the 54th minute.

Nuñez made it 3-Zero within the 73rd, and Colombia received into deeper hassle within the final minute when defender Mina was despatched off after receiving a second yellow card. Colombia dropped to seventh place within the standings. It subsequent performs Ecuador in Quito.

“In the two first goals we made mistakes,” Colombia coach Carlos Queiroz stated. “We have to take responsibility. They made fewer mistakes and in soccer that is the team that wins.”

Also on Friday, Chile beat Peru 2-Zero with Arturo Vidal scoring within the 20th minute with a screamer from mid-range and within the 35th, simply pushing the ball previous the road. The Chileans are actually in sixth place with 4 factors. Their subsequent match is at Venezuela on Tuesday. On the identical day Peru, in eighth place with just one level, will host second-place Argentina.