Location: Rodrigo Paz Delgado, Quito Goleiros Weverton (Atlético Paranaense) Ederson (Manchester City) Alisson (Liverpool) Laterais Alex Sandro (Juventus) Alex Telles (Manchester United) Emerson Royal (Tottentam) Daniel Alves (Barcelona) Zagueiros Thiago Silva (Chelsea) Éder Militão (Real Madrid) Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) Marquinhos (PSG) Meio-campistas Bruno Magalhães (Lyon) Fred (Manchester United) Casemiro (Real Madrid) Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa) Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo) Gérson (Olympique de Marseille) Lucas Paquetá (Lyon) Fabinho (Liverpool) Atacantes Antony (Ajax) Gabriel Barbosa (Flamengo) Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) Matheus Cunha (Atlético Madrid) Raphinha (Leeds) Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) Rodrygo (Real Madrid) On a countdown to end 2022 WCQ as the top CONMEBOL team, and in what will the first of Tite’s final four WCQ fixtures as Brazil manager, Brazil returns to the city where it achieved its first WCQ and overall win under Tite in the faraway year of 2016. Then, Tite achieved a convincing 0-3 win over the hosts, breaking a three-match winless streak in Quito (0-1 in 2001, 0-1 in 2004, and 1-1 in 2009). Brazil is at essentially full strength minus Neymar, who is recovering from an ankle injury from November 28. But the roster includes a few of the 2020 Summer Olympics championship team in what is an effort to renew the team for the post-2022 World Cup future as well as to update and to upgrade the team with Qatar in mind. Ecuador is in third place, and minus a 1-2 loss against Peru last June and a 0-0 draw against Chile last September, it has done nothing but win at home; as hosts, Ecuador has scored 17 goals and allowed 5. This is a fine record, and one which Brazil will attempt to worsen. Days ago, Ecuadorian authorities announced there will be no fans on the stands. While Brazil will still be visitors, the removal of fans will likely lessen any pressure on the players – who, mindful of Brazil being both unbeaten and already in Qatar, will nonetheless do what they can to bring 3 points home. With Vinicius Junior having a good spell at La Liga, will he start?
I'm hoping this time it's Matheus Cunha's big day for us, securing him the number 9 spot. Line-up in training has Coutinho starting (remember, Paquetá is suspended), Dani Alves on the bench: Alisson; Emerson, Éder Militão, Thiago Silva, Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Fred, Coutinho; Vini Jr, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha
That's an interesting and potentially very productive front line. I do look forward to it. On a different note, and it's something I should have included in the opening post... When Brazil and Ecuador last met, with that 1-1 draw in Brazil, Gustavo Alfaro (the separated-at-birth twin brother of Dorival Júnior) went up to Tite and said to him: "Resist; keep fighting because this is yours and you'll end up being world champion. Remember what I tell you. Fight this. You dignify this. Please I ask you. Please." Those comments made quite a stir in the sports press, all the more because Alfaro is Argentine; not too many of his compatriots liked what he said (understandably). Not sure how long Alfaro will be with Ecuador, but at this moment, it does look quite guaranteed Alfaro will be in Qatar.
Hoping the front 3 can deliver. but the Fred / Coutinho duo doesn't really inspire me. Coutinho's defensive frailties should benefit from the hard work of the Vin Jr. and Raphinha as they are good with tracking back in their clubs.
Casemiro the captain today. Ecuador's team: Alexander Domínguez Pervis Estupiñán Piero Hincapié Félix Torres Ángelo Preciado Gonzalo Plata Moisés Caicedo Carlos Gruezo Alan Franco Michael Estrada Enner Valencia
That took way too long to confirm on VAR. Wasn't really much to see. Like you said, Ecuador could have scored early. Will be good to watch this front line with an early lead, I hope.
That keeper could end up red carded... couldn't tell at first but the replay is bad. Yeah, red card. Ecuador down to 10 men. What a stupid challenge by the keeper. Cunha has a few cuts on his neck from the cleats.
Too bad .. sort of spoils the game. But I guess Ecuador might play more defensive so we could get a test at breaking them down.
Full credit to Cunha, for chasing that ball, I don't think the keeper expected to be in that situation. Regardless, the keeper's foot was way too high, he kicked him in the neck. Dangerous play. Sure, he wasn't going to use his hands cause that would have been outside the box, but this wasn't a better approach.
Emerson has spectacularly thrown out his chance. Got an early yellow, deserved, and now a completely avoidable second yellow.
Tite will remember. And that could be bad for his NT chances at least until the end of the World Cup.
What the ******** is this game... 10x9 Alisson red carded. I suspect this might have been a yellow had we not already had the previous GK incident.
Alisson red card. WTF. I don't know about that. Player runs under his leg as it comes down ... while their GK hit Cunha straight on.
Would be a brave decision by the ref to reverse the red but I think it would be correct. (Unless there's no room for him to decide otherwise if he considers it a foul).