BRANQUILA (Reuters) – Brazil and Uruguay scored two World Cup qualifiers on Friday (November 13) to arrange a meeting in Montevideo next week that Brazilian defender Marquinhos predicted would be another “war” between the two old rivals.
“We know that matches against Uruguay are always war,” said the Paris Saint-Germain captain after Brazil’s 1-0 victory over Venezuela.
“We have to go there ready because it’s going to be a tough game. They are a strong team, with tradition, quality, and great defense. We will work over the next few days so we can go there and play well. And win points away from home.”
They will face a team at its highest levels after a comfortable 3-0 away win over Colombia. Edinson Cavani scored five minutes later, Luis Suarez doubled his lead from the penalty spot early in the second half and Darwin Nunez sealed the scoring in 73 minutes.
The results leave Brazil at the top of the South American qualifiers for Qatar 2022 as the only team to have won all of their first three matches.
Uruguay is fourth with six points. Although Brazil have struggled to shatter a strong Venezuelan defense, they are already anticipating another blow in the autumn air at Centenario Stadium on Tuesday.
“It will be a difficult match. Uruguay had an important victory today, but we know what we are capable of,” said Brazilian midfielder Alain.
Nevertheless, the Everton player was optimistic that Uruguay will be more positive than the Venezuelans’ defense, and this will mean more opportunities and a better scene for the fans watching at home.
“I think it will be a completely different match against Uruguay. They will come and play and this will leave room for the attackers to make.”
Edinson Cavani of Uruguay scored an early goal and striker Luis Suarez scored a penalty in the second half, defeating Colombia 3-0 in Friday’s (13 November) World Cup qualifying match.
Uruguay’s Cavani scored the first goal after Nahitan Nandez did the hard work in midfield by stealing the ball and setting him up for a low shot on the right foot.
Suarez then added to the lead nine minutes into the second half when he scored from the penalty spot after Jason Morello knocked out Rodrigo Bentancourt.
Darwin Nunez completed the scoring when his shot from 25m overcame diving David Ospina.
Yeri Mina was sent off from Colombia after receiving a second yellow card in the last minute of the match to complete a miserable afternoon for the hosts.
Suárez’s goal was his 63rd international goal and came after he scored twice from the penalty spot in Uruguay’s 4-2 loss to Ecuador and once in their 2-1 victory over Chile in their opening game last month.
The victory raised Uruguay’s score to six points after three games, while seventh-placed Colombia, which beat Venezuela and tied with Chile in the first two matches, has four points. Argentina are second with seven points.
The top four teams in the South American group of 10 teams automatically qualify for the 2022 Finals, and the fifth-placed team plays an interregional playoff match.
Uruguay is now traveling home to play Brazil on Tuesday when Colombia is away from Ecuador.
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