Brazil 1-1 Uruguay: Valverde and Gerson hit superb goals in drab spectacle

Brazil recovered from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw at home to a stubborn Uruguay side in Tuesday’s CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier.

The hosts were booed by some quarters of their own support in Salvador following the result, which leaves them fifth in the table and five points inside the automatic qualification places.

It was a match of few chances punctuated by two moments of world-class quality, with Uruguay striking first.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde opened the scoring 10 minutes into the first half, curling into the bottom corner from the edge of the area to put Uruguay a goal up.

But seven minutes later, Gerson scored his first goal for his country to level things up, a brilliant volley from outside the box.

The draw has Uruguay in second place, two points above Brazil, who could have won it if not for Sergio Rochet’s fine save to deny Gabriel Martinelli, and five behind leaders Argentina with six matches remaining.

4×3 – O Uruguai é o único país que tem mais jogos invicto (quatro empates) do que derrotas (três) como visitante contra o Brasil nas Eliminatórias Sul-Americanas. Obstáculo. pic.twitter.com/18Ow8DpkEO

— OptaJoao (@OptaJoao) November 20, 2024

Data debrief: Brazil struggle to break down Bielsa’s Uruguay

Despite Raphinha, Vinicius Junior and Gabriel Martinelli all featuring in this game, Brazil could not find the quality to regularly trouble their visitors.

The home side managed just three shots on target during the match – one more than Uruguay.

While they won the xG battle 1.09 – 0.47, it will be a disappointment that they had 18 attempts in total and could only divert so few goalwards.