Montevideo: Richarlison and Arthur Melo’s goals helped Brazil get past Uruguay 2-0 in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers at the Estadio Centenario Stadium in Montevideo on Wednesday(November 18).
Brazil coach Tite set up his side in his usual 4-3-3 with Thiago Silva and Marquinhos at the heart of the defence. Everton Ribeirto, Arthur Melo and youngster Douglas Luiz formed a midfield trident with Richarlison, Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Jesus sharing the attack.
Both the teams looked to be composed on possession looking to hit on the counters while the match was being played in a very intense fashion which was quite evident considering the history of this fixture.
There were some early scare for Brazil as Uruguay created a few chances to score but failed. As the game settled down a bit, it was the visitor who broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 35th minute when Gabriel Jesus laid it on a plate for Arthur who’s got deflected slightly got past goalkeeper Martin Campana.
Just before the first-half stoppage, Brazil doubled their lead when a whipping cross from left-back Renan Lodi found Richarlison who headed it past Campana into the bottom corner.
Arthur and slowly become such a vital cog in the Brazilian and one of very few good central midfielder from the country who’s ability control the tempo of the game bas been praised worldwide.
In the second half though, Uruguay’s frustration got in their head as striker Edinson Cavani was sent off after VAR declared his challenge on Richarlison to be worthy of a red card. In the end, Brazil triumphed 2-0.
Even without their two star names Neymar and Phillipe Coutinho, Brazil looked quite comfortable. With young players like Lodi, Vinicius Junior and other players coming to the squad, this is surely a great sign for them before the 2022 World Cup.
Brazil now stand at the top of the table and will face Columbia when qualifiers resume in March next year.
