Brazil goalkeeper Alisson was shown two red cards against Ecuador on Friday (28/1), before being canceled out by VAR in a controversial 1-1 draw.
In the first round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Alisson’s first red card came for lifting his foot too high, but was ruled out for a juning.
His shot in the second half that hit the opponent was also given a red card, but was again disallowed, as well as the opponent’s penalty was cancelled.
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Meanwhile, Brazil’s Emerson Royal and Ecuador’s Alexander Dominguez were sent off, and both teams had to play a match with 10 men.
Alisson avoided two red cards
The Liverpool goalkeeper initially lifted his foot so high that his boot hit the opponent’s head, but a VAR review said his action was not deemed dangerous enough to earn a red card.
While in the second half, his strokes only hit the attacker after he touched the ball.
“I think this is the first time this has happened in the history of football [dua kartu merah dianulir VAR],” kata Alisson.
“I think I acted correctly in the movement and I think my team-mates helped me a lot, they actively protested the referee. This shows once again the importance of using VAR in football.”
“I’m happy with VAR, if it weren’t for VAR we would have been punished unfairly.”
Ecuador suffers
Ecuador is clearly disappointed that Alisson was not sent off by the referee for two fouls that could have resulted in a red card, and their penalty was also cancelled, but a draw against Brazil in qualifying is still something to be grateful for.
With that one point, Ecuador maintain their comfortable position in third in the CONMEBOL qualifying zone standings and move them closer to the chance of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Brazil, meanwhile, have qualified for the World Cup, along with Argentina.
