Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker rescued by VAR; sees two red cards reversed in WC qualifier against Ecuador

In a rare incident Brazilian custodian Alisson Becker had two red cards reversed by VAR reviews in a World Cup qualifier match against Ecuador, on January 27 (Thursday), in Quito, Ecuador.

The match ended with a score line of 1-1 as Ecuador center-back Felix Torres equalised in the 75th minute of the game to earn a point for the home side. Earlier, Brazil’s defensive midfielder Casemiro scored the first goal of the night to secure an important lead for his team. 

VAR in action

In the 28th minute of the game Liverpool’s Alisson received a red card for a dangerous tackle but after a VAR review the decision was changed as the Brazil goalkeeper got a yellow card. 

Later, in the 93rd minute of the game, Alisson received second yellow card of the match and was set to leave the field but he was eventually found to be lucky for the second time as another VAR review forced the referee to change his decision. The replays suggested that the Liverpool custodian clearly got the ball first when he punched the ball and as a result the Brazilian goalkeeper safely managed to play till the last minute of the match.  

But apart from the two overturned red cards there were red cards in reality as within the first 20 minutes of the game both the teams were down to 10 men. 

Two red cards

In the 15th minute of the match, the hosts received the first red card as their goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez recklessly tackled Brazil striker Matheus Cunha. Five minutes later, the visitors had their right-back Emerson Royal sent off after the Tottenham player received his second yellow card of the game.  

With this draw, the five-time World Cup champions have 36 points from 14 matches and sit at the top spot in the group, without losing a single match. Ecuador, on the other hand, are currently at third spot in the group with 24 points from 15 games. Top four teams from the group are slated to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Argentina are placed at second spot with 32 points from 14 matches and Uruguay are at fourth position having 19 points in their tally after playing 15 matches.