Road to Qatar: Brazil remains perfect, Ecuador runs rampant
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Nov 18, 2020
Juventus midfielder Arthur, a key performer for Brazil on its run to the 2019 Copa America title, scored the winning goal in his first start of the World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign.
Uruguay was missing Luis Suarez, who tested positive for COVID-19, and had Edinson Cavani sent off in the second half for a dangerous challenge on Everton's Richarlison, who scored the second Brazil goal. The Celeste had its chances, however, with two shots off the woodwork and a goal disallowed.
Ecuador is in third place, behind Brazil and Argentina, after a 6-1 win over Colombia, which gave up the most goals in a World Cup qualifier in 43 years.
Red card follows golazo. Gonzalo Plata, the 20-year-old winger from Sporting Lisbon, had the goal of the game with a left-footed shot from the corner of the penalty area but was red carded for his trouble, picking up a second yellow card on his goal celebration.
Angel Mena has a goal and two assists for Ecuador, while Seattle Sounders defender Xavier Arriega and Robert Arboleda had a goal and an assist.
MLS Connection. The Red Bulls' Kaku scored the equalizer for Paraguay in a 2-2 tie at Bolivia that kept it unbeaten with one win and three ties in four games.
Results:
Thursday, November 12
Bolivia 2 (Arce 37, Martins 60) Ecuador 3 (Caicedo 46, Mena 55, Gruezo 88 pen.),
Argentina 1 (Gonzalez 41) Paraguay 1 (A.Romero 21 pen.).
Friday, November 13
Colombia 0 Uruguay 3 (Cavani 5, Suarez 54 pen., Nunez 73).
Chile 2 (Vidal 20, 35) Peru 0
Brazil 1 (Roberto Firmino 67) Venezuela 0.
Tuesday, November 17
Venezuela 2 (Del Pino 9, Rondon 81) Chile 1 (Vidal 15).
Ecuador 6 (Arboleda 7, Mena 9, Estrada 32, Arreaga 39, Plata 78, Estupinan 90+1) Colombia 1 (Rodriguez 45+1 pen.)
Uruguay 0 Brazil 2 (Arthur 34, Richarlison 45).
Paraguay 2 (A.Romero 19 pen., Kaku 72) Bolivia 2 (Martins 41, Cespedes 45).
Peru 0 Argentina 2 (Gonzalez 17, Martinez 28).
Results:
1. Brazil 12 points; 2. Argentina 10; 3. Ecuador 9; 4. Paraguay, Uruguay 6; 6. Chile, Colombia 4; 8. Venezuela 3; 9. Peru, Bolivia 1.
Chile and Columbia on 4 points? 2020 continues to perplex!