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Six hundred and forty days later, Luis Suarez’s nightmare was over. He made a ferocious return to Uruguay duty, scoring against Brazil and terrorising David Luiz, in his first competitive international since biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.
At club level he has won five trophies with Barcelona but, until he was back in sky blue, a feeling of punishment lingered on. Back in Brazil, Suarez had the chance to put his demons to bed and duly did so, sealing Uruguay’s comeback after Neymar’s side had threatened to overrun the Celeste.
After just 42 seconds Douglas Costa broke the deadlock, when Willian made a mockery of Sebastian Coates and crossed for the Bayern Munich man to flick home at the back post.
MATCH FACTS
Brazil: Alisson 5.5, Alves 6, Miranda 4, David Luiz 3.5, Filipe Luis 5, Gustavo 6, Fernandinho 6 (Coutinho 67, 6), Renato 7.5, Willian 8 (Lima 85), Neymar 8.5, Douglas Costa 6.5 (R Oliviera 78)
Booked: Neymar, Alves, Luiz
Goals: Douglas Costa 1, Renato 26
Uruguay: Muslera 6, Fucile 5, Coates 4, Victorino 5.5, A Pereira 5, C Sanchez 7.5 (Stuani 80), Arevalo 6.5, Vecino 6, C Rodriguez 6, Cavani 7, Suarez 8.5
Booked: Suarez
Goals: Cavani 31, Suarez 48
Attendance: 45,010
Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina
Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the equaliser for Uruguay against Brazil on Friday night at Pernambuco
The goal came in Suarez’s first game back since he was banned for biting Giorgio Chiellini at 2014 World Cup
Suarez and Uruguay team-mate Edinson Cavani embrace after Suarez scored to level the score against Brazil
Uruguay hadn’t even touched the ball. In a thrilling attacking opening, driven by the dribbles of Neymar, Brazil looked more like themselves for the first time in a long time.
They were aided hugely by the injury absences of Atletico Madrid’s star centre-back pairing Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin from the Uruguay back-line.
The latter is usually the skipper and without him on the scene, Suarez took the armband. It meant the pre-match captain’s handshake became a pre-match captain’s cuddle, with his Barcelona team-mate – and great friend -Neymar leading Brazil out.
But any delight Suarez had at being able to wear his country’s shirt again was wiped out by Brazil’s blistering start.
Neymar drove a shot into the side netting, before feeding Dani Alves, who over-hit his cross. At the other end Suarez went close, but couldn’t react in time after David Luiz missed a deep ball into the box.
Brazil’s second goal was superb too, with Neymar spotting Renato Augusto’s run in behind the defender and arrowing a through-ball to him. Although it was nearly cut out, the ball bobbled and the midfielder took advantage by brilliantly dummying goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, before blasting home.
The goal came after Cavani had himself scored to get Uruguay back into the game after they had trailed
Minutes before Cavani got Uruguay a goal back, Renato Augusto (left) fired home to make it 2-0 to Brazil
If the move to Beijing Guoan has lessened Renato’s competitiveness, it wasn’t on display here, with the midfielder putting in a tireless display.
Without their first-choice centre-backs Uruguay were suffering, but Brazil were no great shakes at the back themselves. When Pereira’s cross was nodded down by Carlos Sanchez, Luiz was nowhere near to Edinson Cavani. The PSG man battered home a fine strike on the bounce to cut Brazil’s lead.
Brazil threatened to restore their advantage when Neymar fired inches wide and another run by the star saw him feed Costa, who hit the side-netting, before the interval.
Right after the restart, Suarez scored. A ball into him on the left side of the box didn’t appear to be overly dangerous, but the striker hit it first time before Luiz could get close to him. The strike surprised goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who should have kept it out but only managed to push it into his net more emphatically.
Suarez celebrated wildly, running over to the corner flag to celebrate with Uruguay substitutes who were warming up. He brandished a T-shirt featuring the face of the late physio Walter Ferreira, who stopped his cancer treatment to help get Suarez fit for the 2014 World Cup.
It was Douglas Costa (second right) who took the lead for Brazil after just one minute into the match
The Bayern Munich winger was mobbed by team-mates David Luiz (left), Dani Alves (centre) and Miranda
Barcelona forward Neymar went close for Brazil when he opted to shoot rather than pass to his team-mates
Suarez and Neymar, both team-mates for Barcelona, embrace before the fixture between Brazil and Uruguay
The striker was picking up where he left off two years ago; his goal against Brazil now means he has scored against each of the other South American nations.
The second half was scrappier than the free-flowing first, with both Suarez and Neymar going into the book for similar fouls, leaving their feet in. Neymar’s yellow means he will miss Brazil’s trip to Paraguay in the week – good news for Barcelona, who want him fit for Saturday’s Clasico.
Uruguay finished by far the stronger team, with Suarez blowing a brilliant chance to win the game. Luiz floundered on the edge of the box and Suarez fired in a snap-shot which Alisson parried well.
Brazil move level on points in the group with Argentina and Paraguay, into third place, while Uruguay, second, creep a point closer to leaders Ecuador.
The draw meant Suarez and Neymar’s pledge to buy the other a burger if they won was left in limbo. But Suarez will be happy enough with a goalscoring return. Even a return at all was sufficient.
Chelsea’s Willian (above), who has been impressive this season, knocks the ball over Alvaro Pereira
Dani Alves (left) chases after Cristian Rodriguez who put the the right back under threat throughout the