Published: January 27, 2022 10:08 pm
Last Updated: January 27, 2022 10:16 pm
The early exchanges in the meeting between Ecuador and Brazil this evening have certainly not disappointed, culminating in both a goal and two red cards inside the opening 20 minutes of action.
The two nations are currently locked in action in Quito, as part of the latest round of CONMEBOL qualifiers for this year’s World Cup.
Thursday’s visitors Brazil have already booked the nation’s spot at the Qatar showpiece, courtesy of eleven wins from their thirteen qualifying fixtures prior to tonight.
In turn, when Casemiro’s 6th-minute opener at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado was added to by Ecuador shot-stopper Alexander Dominguez being given his marching orders on the quarter of an hour mark, yet another straightforward three-point haul appeared very much on the cards.
Dominguez could have had few complaints after being sent for an early bath, owing to a shocking high-footed challenge on Atletico Madrid’s Matheus Cunha:
There are reckless challenges, and then there’s THIS from Ecuador’s Alexander Domínguez! 😲
A VAR review led to a red card after the goalkeeper’s studs left Matheus Cunha with a cut on his neck 🟥 pic.twitter.com/l2PK719DGG
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) January 27, 2022
Brazil’s man advantage, however, was soon wiped out.
This came after Emerson Royal too saw a red card brandished in his direction, albeit as a result of a pair of bookable offences.
The 2nd is showcased below, with the Tottenham full-back having been comfortably beaten to the flight of the ball, before directing an awkward kick between the legs of Michael Estrada:
And now it’s Emerson Royal who’s sent off! 😱
Ecuador get a lifeline as Brazil join them in being reduced to 10 men 👀 pic.twitter.com/f8GT9t7wKF
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) January 27, 2022
Alisson escapes
Remarkably, had it not been for the intervention of the VAR system in Quito, though, then the dismissal tally would actually not have ended at just two inside the opening half-hour of action in Quito.
This comes with Brazil no.1 Alisson having also been sent off, only to see the decision overturned on the back of a lengthy pitch-side check.
After emerging to the edge of his area to clear the ball courtesy of a high kick, the boot of the Liverpool standout, on his way down, connected with the face of the arriving Enner Valencia.
Replays, however, showcased the fact that the contact was completely accidental, culminating in Alisson’s blushes being spared:
VAR saves Alisson from being this game’s third red card! ❌
It’s downgraded to a yellow card by the referee, the Liverpool keeper stays on, and it’s still 10 v 10 🟨
What a half so far! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dpDkK3eZKg
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) January 27, 2022