Montevideo (AFP) – Brazil suffered their first loss in South American World Cup qualifying since 2015, going down 0-2 against hosts Uruguay on a night of injury to star Neymar, while Lionel Messi scored twice to lead Argentina to their fourth straight win. It cost Peru 2-0 on Tuesday.
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Unlike Argentina, who are enjoying a special season after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Brazil had a nightmare in Uruguay, beating it for the first time in 22 years.
Brazil’s last defeat in qualifying was against Chile (0-2) in October 2015, 37 matches ago.
Making matters worse for the five-time world champions was the departure of their striker Neymar, who moved to Saudi club Al Hilal at the start of the season in a big deal, injuring his left knee before the end of the first. half
The former French Paris Saint-Germain player fell in a collision with Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas de la Groce, who left in tears and was replaced by Richarlison.
“If he comes out like this, it means it’s serious,” midfielder Casemiro said. “I hope it’s not a serious injury.”
The England Manchester United man spoke about the former Barcelona man, who missed six months of action from March to September this year with a right ankle injury, and some of the World Cup matches in which his country was knocked out in the quarter-finals. “For him, it’s injuries. “Injuries, injuries… As soon as he gets his rhythm back, he gets injured again.”
During the post-match press conference, the Brazilian federation’s director of communications said it was a “worrying” injury, without giving further details.
The 31-year-old will undergo a thorough examination in Sao Paulo on Wednesday, he said.
Liverpool’s England striker Darwin Nunes opened the scoring with a header (42) before the break at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo. Nunes then made the second for Nicolas de la Grasse, who scored against goalkeeper Ederson (77).
The first half was boring and no shots on goal before Nunes’ goal.
June 2024 Coach Fernando Diniz’s side, who replaced Italian Carlo Ancelotti, waited until the 68th minute to get a dangerous chance from Real Madrid’s Spanish striker Rodrigo’s free kick, but De La Cruz fired the Seleção away. Hope in the last quarter hour.
After starting at Richarlison’s expense, Gabriel Jesus gave a lackluster performance, as did Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr.
It was Uruguay’s first win in a World Cup qualifier against Brazil (1-0 in Montevideo) since July 2001, world champions in 1930 and 1950.
“I thank the players who kept it up and fought to progress,” said Uruguay’s Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa.
“We defended well, but we need to improve to recover the ball quickly from the opposition,” continued the coach, who dropped experienced strikers Luis Soares and Edinson Cavani in what was regarded as Uruguay’s best performance since the start of the qualifiers.
Brazil suffered a disappointing result in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a recent 1-1 draw with Venezuela.
Messi scored 106 runs
Lionel Messi scored twice and led Argentina to their fourth straight win in qualifying with a 2-0 win.
Messi, the world’s greatest player, scored twice in the 32nd and 56th minutes at the National Stadium in the capital Lima to take his international tally with the world champions to 106.
The “Albe Celeste” top the consolidated group standings with 12 points, compared to 7 points for Uruguay, who are second behind Brazil on goal difference, and Venezuela, who continued their good run with an impressive win against their hosts, Chile. , 3-0.
Argentina’s journey to the World Cup looks like it will, especially as the number of direct qualifiers rises to six teams and a seventh team takes part in the continental play-off, bringing the number of participants to 48.
Messi played as a starter during Thursday’s recent 1-0 win over Paraguay and showed no signs of the injury that has limited his participation at his new American side Inter Miami.
The 36-year-old opened the scoring after half an hour with a beautiful and clever shot, then scored a second from inside the area ten minutes later after good work from midfielder Enzu Fernandez.
Venezuela continued their good run towards qualifying for the first World Cup in their history with a big win over Chile in Maturin.
Winger Jefferson Sotildo scored the first goal (45+1) and veteran striker Salomon Rondon (72) and Darwin Machis (79) provided two assists. Chile finished with ten men after the dismissal of Marcelino Nunes (59).
Paraguay achieved its first victory in the qualifiers against hosts Bolivia, with no points, thanks to a goal from Antonio Sanabria (69).
Colombia held their hosts Ecuador goalless in Quito for the third time in a row, finishing fifth.
© 2023 AFP
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