Nicolas de la Cruz of Uruguay celebrates with teammate Darwin Nuñez after scoring the crew’s second aim through the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Uruguay and Brazil at Centenario Stadium on October 17, 2023 in Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Brazil striker Neymar suffered a serious-looking left knee injury throughout his nationwide crew’s 2-0 loss at Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday evening.
Uruguay’s targets got here on a header by Darwin Núnez within the forty second minute and a close-range end by Nicolás de la Cruz within the 77th. It was Brazil’s first defeat in 37 matches of World Cup qualifying.
Neymar, a 31-year-old making his 128th look for Brazil, left the sector in tears after being surrounded by gamers from each groups. With and with out Neymar, Brazil had its worst efficiency underneath new coach Fernando Diniz, who will stay within the job not less than till subsequent 12 months’s Copa America.
“In the short run we need to be realistic, we need to improve,” Brazil captain Casemiro mentioned. “For Neymar to leave the match it is surely something serious. But I hope it isn’t at the end. He has had those injuries whenever he starts picking up his pace again, it is hard.”
Later Tuesday, World Cup winner Argentina, which led South American qualifying with wins in its first three matches, was to play at Peru.
Earlier, Venezuela shocked Chile 3-0. Yeferson Soteldo opened the scoring shortly earlier than the break, Salomón Rondón added a aim within the 72nd minute and Darwin Machis put the ultimate quantity on the scoreboard seven minutes later. Last week, Venezuela had a 1-1 draw in opposition to Brazil.
Ecuador and Colombia had a goalless draw, and Paraguay beat Bolivia 1-0 with a aim by Antonio Sanabria within the 69th minute.
Argentina led South American qualifying with 9 factors coming into Tuesday’s matches. Uruguay, Brazil and Venezuela had seven factors and had been separated by aim distinction. Colombia had six factors, and Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile had 4 every. Peru had one level and Bolivia had zero.
The subsequent World Cup within the United States, Mexico and Canada will embrace 48 groups, that means direct entry for the highest six groups in South America. The seventh-place crew will contest an intercontinental playoff for a berth.
Two extra rounds of South American World Cup qualifying will likely be performed in November. Brazil and Argentina will face off on the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 21.
