BRAZIL return to Copa America action looking to make it four wins from four.
Neymar and Co have already secured qualification into the knockout stages, but will be keen to make a clean-sweep of the group with victory over Ecuador.
- Start time: 10pm GMT
- TV/Live stream: BBC Red Button
- Brazil XI: Alisson, Emerson, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Renan Lodi, Lucas Paqueta, Fabinho, Douglas Luiz, Firmino, Gabi, Everton
- Ecuador XI: Galindez, Preciado, Arboleda, Palacios, Hincapie, Caicedo, Mendez, Franco, Estupinan, Preciado, Valencia
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REPORT
BRAZIL’S ten-game winning run came to an end after plucky Ecuador earned a draw in the final Copa America group game in Goiania.
Coach Tite made ten changes from the midweek win over Colombia as Neymar, Casemiro, Thiago Silva and Richarlison were rested.
The reigning champions had already booked their spot in the next round as group winners, while their opponents had to better Venezuela’s score to remain in the competition.
Neymar was rested And it was nearly the perfect start for Selecao as Renan Lodi broke clear down the left and looked to be bundled over inside the box within the opening minute. The referee and VAR disagreed.
Brighton’s Moises Caicedo was then stretchered off on 17 minutes with a knee injury in a blow to Ecuador, with Angel Mena coming on.
Then almost goal of the tournament from Ecuador skipper Enner Valencia.
He spotted Alisson off his line and sent a shot from the halfway line goalwards and with the Liverpool keeper losing his footing as he retreated to his line, he was glad to see it land on the roof of his net.
Brazil then had big chances through Gabi with a 1v1 attempt which Galindez rushed off his line to prevent before Lucas Paqueta sent a shot inches wide from the edge of the area.
But they did break the deadlock on 37 minutes when Everton’s free kick from wide on the right was met by the towering Eder Militao who powered a header back where it came from and into the top corner. His first goal for Brazil.
Militao and Brazil celebrate the opener Ecuador came out the traps quickest in the second half and Angelo Preciado had a shot deflected wide, as did Valencia who went close with an effort shortly after.
But they were rewarded for their pressure just eight minutes into the half.
An initial Ecuadorian corner was headed clear by the Brazil defence but it was helped back into the box by three consecutive Ecuador headers.
The final one by Valencia helped the ball into the box and into the path of substitute Angel Mena and he couldn’t miss as he smashed beyond Alisson from six yards.
Angel Mena and Ecuador celebrate the equaliser Tite made changes late in the game and Vinicius Jr nearly had his first Brazil goal but he couldn’t stretch enough to finish off a clever move and great Lucas Paqueta cross, knocking it wide.
Enner Valencia was then the second Ecuador player to be stretchered off as he felt his calf with ten minutes to go.
Then in the final few minutes, Richarlison had a big claim for a penalty as Pervis Estupinan bundled into him inside the area.
Again, the referee and VAR were untroubled.
The draw, alongside Venezuela’s defeat to Peru, mean Ecuador join Brazil in the final eight, with Neymar and co still warm favourites to lift the trophy once again.
HAPPY TO BE HERE
Ecuador fight to a big point in Brazil.
And they seem to be pleased with it!
FINAL STATS
A complete transformation from the first half as Ecuador created more chances in the game.
Credit: Flashscore
FINAL STANDINGS
How Group B looks after everyone has played.
Venezuela’s defeat means they are out.
Brazil through as group winners.
FULL-TIME: BRAZIL 1 ECUADOR 1
Substitute Angel Mena earned the visitors a draw with his second-half strike cancelling out Eder Militao’s opener.
They needed the point to stay in the competition and were good value for it.
Brazil already through as group winners and had the luxury of resting Neymar.
Neymar on the bench PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
FULL-TIME IN BRAZIL: BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
90+4′ Everton Ribeiro takes it himself and it doesn’t clear the first man.
Dear oh dear.
Ecuador keeper Galindez BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
90+3′ Everton Ribeiro skips by Pineida on the left and has his shirt tugged.
It’s a free kick just outside the area wide on the left.
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
FIVE MINUTES ADDED
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
90′ The ball in is met by Marquinhos but he heads over.
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
90′ Richarlison goes down lookign for a penalty as Estupinan challenges for a bouncing ball inside the area.
It looked clumsy but the referee waves play on.
Everton Ribeiro sends a deep ball into the box which is headed behind for a corner.
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
87′ Estupinan breaks down the Ecuador left.
He digs out a cross towards the penalty spot and Campana rises between the centre backs but can’t get a good purchase on the header and it rolls harmlessly wide.
Emerson and Estupinan challenge BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
86′ Ecuador playing for the point as they know it should now be enough to secure their spot in the next round.
Preciado then bursts forward down the right and he lays on a perfect cross across the Brazil area but Campana can’t get on the end of it.
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
Double Ecuador change:
- OFF – Valencia and Preciado
- ON – Campana and Pineida
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
83′ Richarlison wiped out down the Brazil right and Estupinan picks up the games first YELLOW CARD.
It’s a long way out this free kick on the touchline.
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
81′ Enner Valencia goes down in the middle of the park and is gesturing that he needs to come off.
The stretcher is on the park to take the Ecuador skipper off.
Hopefully nothing too serious. The game restarts with Ecuador down to ten men temporarily.
Vinicius Jr strikes wide BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
81′ Fabinho heads clear at the front post.
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
80′ Close! An ambitious effort if he meant it as the whipped in delivery looks to creep under the bar of the Brazil keeper.
But Alisson tips it over for a corner.
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
79′ A dangerous chance here for Ecuador, a free kick wide on the right.
Six blue shirts in the box.
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
Brazil double change:
- OFF – Everton and Lucas Paqueta
- ON – Everton Ribeiro and Richarlison
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
75′ More changes in the offing for Brazil with 15 minutes to play.
Great play from Angel Mena as he beats four challenges down the right to win the throw in for Ecuador in the final third.
Alisson charged down by Enner Valencia
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
71′ Ecuador substitution:
- OFF – Palacios
- ON – Plata
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
70′ It’s in towards Militao again but this time it’s well defended by three in blue shirts.
But the changes for Brazil have helped turn the tide in the last few minutes.
BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
69′ The ball in is too deep and Mena collects.
He goes down under the pressure of Fabinho and the free kick goes against him, presumably for handball.
25 yards from goal, on the touchline on the left.
Angel Mena gets Ecuador level BRAZIL 1-1 ECUADOR
68′ Vinicius Jr with a no-look pass into Paqueta in the box who finds Casemiro out on the left.
His deep ball into the area is attacked by Emerson who wins a corner.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
