(Goiania) You miss only one being… Without Neymar, spared, Brazil saw Ecuador put an end to its streak of ten consecutive victories by snatching the 1-1 draw, Sunday, in Goiania, on the last day of Group B of the Copa América.
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La Seleçao opened the scoring with a headed goal from Militao (37e) but saw a transfigured Ecuador in the second period equalize thanks to Mena (52e).
During the ten previous meetings, between the qualifications of the World Cup-2022 and the Copa America, Brazil had flown over all its matches and conceded only three goals.
For Brazilian coach Tite, the first phase of the continental tournament served as a laboratory to observe different formations for the World Cup, with many changes in each match.
This time, against Ecuador, with the first place in Group B already secured, it was Neymar’s turn to be left to rest, like other executives like Casemiro or Thiago Silva.
Without its number 10, Brazil struggled to create danger, facing a well-rounded opponent.
And it was Ecuador who created the first chance in the game, when Enner Valencia almost deceived Alisson with an attempted lob from the midfielder. The Liverpool goalkeeper stumbled while stepping back and was happy to see the ball pass just over the crossbar (10e).
La Seleçao began to find spaces thanks to the good work in the middle of Paqueta, author of two beautiful strikes from the entrance to the area (13e, 26e) and a caviar for Gabigol, who missed his face-to-face with goalkeeper Galindez.
But it was on set piece that Brazil found the opening, thanks to a masterful header from Militao on a free kick from Everton.
Ecuador started the second half on the floor and Mena took advantage of a good recovery from Valencia’s header to shoot Alisson (51e)
Tite tried to give a new impetus to the Seleçao by bringing in Vinicius Junior, who immediately created an opportunity, but left something to be desired in the finish (65e), as often with Real Madrid.
It is therefore an end of the series for Brazil, which will not be able to match the record of 14 consecutive victories under the leadership of the great Zagallo in 1997.
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