Dani Alves has now surpassed Rivellino in # of games played for Brazil and is now behind only Cafu and Roberto Carlos.
Equador 0 x 1 Brasil - HT Can't really take much out of this game given the circumstances. Front 3, if they can score goals will be very good for us because they are also very combative. No lazy legs out there. Alex Sandro getting eaten up and Militão with a bad 1st half.
I wouldn't be suprised to see Marquinhos and Alex Telles in the second half, but I wonder if we'll have to wait or if some subs come at halftime.
What I take from this game is the lack of composure. Forget the reds. Too many yellows for us and defenders overconfident and screwing up. It was too cocky and we are lucky we had the early lead (and red) to buffer us.
While none of us wants Brazil to lose, it's definitely better if a loss were to happen in a WCQ match within the context of a tournament where Brazil hasn't lost yet and qualified comfortably. I would much rather see a loss of composure resulting in yellows and reds here than in a round of 16 match against a UEFA team who would be almost indubitably if not unquestionably superior to Ecuador. As such, Emerson Royal getting a second yellow, while unfortunate, may be a blessing for both him and the team: for him to learn to be more clever and aware of his surroundings and for Brazil to look at an alternative given he'll be suspended for Paraguay.
No doubt. I wonder if we'll call in a replacement for Tuesday for Émerson (or if we even can). Militão will be suspended for his yellow, which leaves Fabinho as an emergency option to back up Dani Alves if we can't bring anyone in. Or we could see a 3 man back line... that would be unlikely (it would also have no bench options besides Fabinho as an emergency CD).
Second half starts better for Ecuador, including a goal just now (correctly called back as the ball was out of play) but Brazil look just as lost as when they started the first half.
Alves makes up a bit for that initial screw up in the beginning of 2nd half. Nice anticipation there. And just now as I type, Alves and Alisson cough up a ball. Lucky the ball went out of bounds just before.
Ecuadorian just cuts through our defense, luckily the forward couldn't turn and control and Alisson came out to get it. But that was embarrassing for the defense.
Penalty for Ecuador. I thought it wasn't at first but looks clear on replays. Absolutely embarrassing defensive performance, worse than the first half.
OK, penalty called back. I think we dodged one there, but still an embarrassing defensive performance. It looks like the decision was made that the Ecuadorian technically stepped on Raphinha. But I actually think that's still a foul by Raphinha as he puts his foot in and the attacker can't avoid it. Were it not for that he would've kept going and had the ball.
Antony coming in! Nice! Gabriel Jesus coming in... shit. Out: Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha. That's interesting. Matheus Cunha stays on. Basically the two subs will be more combative but provide width if needed I think.