On October 17, 2023 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nuez of Uruguay celebrate their victory over Brazil in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier game at Centenario Stadium.
Tuesday's South American qualification match between Uruguay and Brazil saw Uruguay upset Brazil for the first time in 22 years thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and another goal-assist from him.
In a somber first half at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Liverpool attacker Nunez scored with a thunderous header on minute 42.
The Premier League player then had a crucial part in Uruguay's second goal, holding the ball up effectively after a throw-in and cutting back for Nicolas de la Cruz to score past Brazil goalkeeper Ederson on 77 minutes, securing a 2-0 triumph.
The win was Uruguay’s first over Brazil in a World Cup qualifying fixture since a 1-0 victory over the “Selecao” in Montevideo in July 2001.
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The defeat marked another disappointing result for five-time world champions Brazil, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela last week in the previous round.
The win leaves Uruguay level on seven points alongside Brazil and Venezuela, two adrift of early pace-setters Argentina, who lead the standings with a maximum nine points from three games. Argentina face Peru in Lima later Tuesday.
Venezuela boosted their own hopes of reaching the World Cup for the first time with an impressive 3-0 rout of Chile in Maturin.
Winger Yeferson Soteldo was the star for ‘La Vinotinto’, scoring the opening goal and setting up second-half goals for veteran striker Salomon Rondon and Darwin Machis.
Soteldo opened the scoring in stoppage time at the end of the first half, stabbing a low angled shot into the bottom corner to the delight of a raucous home crowd.
The Santos winger turned provider for Venezuela’s second, bursting down the left flank and cutting back for Rondon to sweep home from close range on 72 minutes.
Soteldo was involved again for Venezuela’s third, once again finding space on the left wing and crossing for an unmarked Machis to make it 3-0.
Elsewhere Tuesday, Paraguay got their first win of the qualifiers, defeating lowly Bolivia 1-0 in Asuncion with a 69th-minute strike from Antonio Sanabria.
Bolivia remain bottom of the standings while Paraguay are seventh with three points from four games.
Colombia preserved their perfect record in the qualification process, drawing 0-0 with Ecuador in Quito.
Six teams from the 10-team round-robin competition will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which the United States, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosting and will have 48 teams for the first time.
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