Indo-Asian News Service
Recife (Brazil), March 26: Striker Luis Suarez scored in his first international match in almost two years as Uruguay held Brazil to a 2-2 draw in their World Cup qualifier here Friday.
Douglas Costa and Renato Augusto gave the hosts an early 2-0 lead before Edinson Cavani pegged a goal back for the ‘Celeste’. Suarez, returning from a nine-game international ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup, struck the equaliser with a customary cool finish just after half time.
The result left Uruguay second in the South American zone’s World Cup qualifying standings with 10 points from five matches, three points behind leaders Ecuador. Brazil rose to third with eight points, above Paraguay and Argentina on goal difference.
Brazil had the luxury of leaving Chelsea midfielder Oscar and Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho on the bench as coach Dunga favoured Luiz Gustavo, Renato Augusto and Fernandinho to play behind a front three of Douglas Costa, Neymar and Willian.
And it looked like a masterstroke when Costa stabbed in a Willian cross at the far post after just 42 seconds. Neymar then pierced Uruguay’s defence with a sublime diagonal pass to Augusto, who showed fine composure by rounding goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and thumping his shot into an unguarded net.
Uruguay finally began to settle and they reduced the deficit just after the half hour mark courtesy of Cavani. Alvaro Pereira’s cross to the far post was headed back into play by Carlos Sanchez and Cavani pounced to lash the ball past Brazil goalkeeper Alisson with an unstoppable first-time strike.
Uruguay dominated the early stages of the second half as Brazil appeared flat-footed in the stifling heat. Three minutes after the restart, Suarez capitalised on loose marking by David Luiz to run onto Pereira’s pass and expertly slot the ball past Alisson.