Brazil and Ecuador drew 1-1 in the late afternoon of this Thursday (27) in a game valid for the 15th round of the South American Qualifiers for the Qatar World Cup. The match was played at the Casa Blanca Stadium in Quito. Even without the presence of the star Neymar, the team of coach Tite immediately took advantage of the first chance and opened the scoring after five minutes of play.
After the defense hit, Coutinho crossed, Matheus Cunha tried and the ball left for midfielder Casemiro to open the scoring. Then, at 13 minutes, the first move took place with the participation of the video referee. Striker Matheus Cunha was hit by goalkeeper Domínguez. After review, Colombian referee Wilmar Roldán confirmed that the foul was outside the area and sent the player off from Ecuador.
End of story in Quito. Brazil and @LaTri tie at 1 to 1, in the first challenge of the #Brazilian Team in the year.
?? 1-1 ?? | #BRAxEQU pic.twitter.com/FSfkz7itle
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) January 27, 2022
But Brazil’s advantage of playing with one more athlete was short-lived. In the 19th minute, the right-back Emerson, who already had a yellow card, hit Estrada and was sent off. And, right after the match, there was another important participation of the video referee. At 25, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson had been sent off after hitting Enner Valencia. But Wilmar Roldán ended up going back and only gave the yellow card to the archer of Tite’s selection.
At the beginning of the second stage, another VAR review. In the 12th minute, Roldán saw a step by forward Raphinha on Estupiñán inside the area and scored a penalty. Only he went back after reviewing the bid in the video. Ecuador’s equalizing goal came in the 29th minute of the final stage. After a cross, Félix Torres went up along with Casemiro and headed for the back of the net. And, incredible as it may seem, referee Wilmar Roldán still managed to get involved in yet another bid with VAR. At 45, he scored a penalty by goalkeeper Alisson over Ayrton Preciado. But after reviewing it, he changed his mind and considered the bid cool.
With this result, Brazil, which is already qualified for the Qatar Cup, continues to lead the Qualifiers with 36 points. Ecuador, in third, with 24 points, is well on its way to the tournament at the end of this year. Brazil will play again on Tuesday (01/02) against Paraguay at Estádio Mineiro in Belo Horizonte. On the same day, Ecuador goes to Lima to face Peru.
