– Already qualified Brazil and third-placed Ecuador drew in a tough game without top star Neymar in the World Cup qualifiers in South America.
At 1: 1 (0: 1) in Quito, things got turbulent with several red cards shortly after Casemiro scored in the sixth minute. The Colombian referee Wilmar Roldán revised several decisions. Ecuadorian goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez was sent off for a brutal kick against former Bundesliga player Matheus Cunha (15′). Cunha (Atlético Madrid) suffered a laceration on his neck from the kick, as seen on Brazilian TV, and the game was suspended for six minutes.
In the 20th minute, Brazil right-back Emerson saw the second yellow card. Brazil’s goalkeeper Alisson was initially given a red card by referee Roldán, but this decision was then reversed to yellow (26′). After a goal by Ecuador was disallowed at the beginning of the second half and a penalty was not awarded, Félix Torres equalized (75′). In the final stages, Roldán Alisson showed the second yellow card and awarded penalties, both decisions were withdrawn by the referee after the VAR check.
In the South American qualifier for the World Cup in Qatar this year, Brazil (36 points) leads ahead of Argentina (29), who have also already qualified. Ecuador is third (24). For the Albiceleste on Thursday evening without Lionel Messi and national coach Lionel Scaloni there was a guest appearance in Calama against Chile.
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