VAR takes center stage as Alisson sees red TWICE in Brazil draw

Brazil goalkeeper was red carded twice but remarkably finished the game in their bad-tempered 1-1 draw against Ecuador in a Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Quito.

Brazil had already booked their place at the Mundial and were without influential star Neymar for the clash against an Ecuador side that hopes to crash the party in Qatar in ten months’ time.

The match started in a feisty manner and Tottenham Hotspur defender Emerson Royal entered the referee’s notebook inside the first minute.

Selecao took the lead five minutes later through experienced Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, who slotted home from close range to open the scoring.

Ecuador’s woes were compounded nine minutes later when goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez saw red following a dangerous tackle in the 15th minute.

Five minutes later, it was the turn of Brazil to go down to ten men as Emerson Royal picked up a second booking and was sent for an early shower.

The VAR drama started in the 25th minute after 29-year-old Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was shown a straight red card for seemingly catching Enner Valencia in the face with a high kick, only for the VAR to intervene and Alisson saw his red card downgraded to a yellow.

Brazil continued to dominate the match against Ecuador, but they failed to find a way to double their lead over the hosts, who had a goal disallowed by VAR as they chased an equaliser.

With the match slipping away, Ecuador found their equaliser against Brazil through highly-rated defender Felix Torres. The central defender powered home a header past Alisson in the 75th minute to draw Ecuador level.

Alisson was once again shown a red card as he attempted to punch a ball into his area clear and clashed with Ayrton Preciado in the dying minutes of the game.

More VAR drama ensued late on as VAR overturned a penalty awarded to Ecuador, before the match ended 1-1.

Ecuador have now moved one step closer to securing a place in the World Cup in Qatar as they sit in third place in the CONMEBOL standings behind Brazil and Argentina, both of whom have qualified.

Elsewhere in Chile, Argentina were without head coach Lionel Scaloni and captain Lionel Messi for their clash with Chile, but prevailed 2-1 in the game. First half goals from Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez sandwiched an effort from Ben Brereton Diaz to give La Albiceleste all three points on offer.

Argentina have not tasted defeat in 28 matches and have the longest running unbeaten streak in international football. Argentina and Brazil are the two sides from CONMEBOL to have booked their places in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.