Mueez Ajao
– Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson believes he has achieved a footballing first by having two red cards rescinded in Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Ecuador.
– The 29-year-old was initially dismissed in the 25th minute after catching former West Ham striker Enner Valencia with a high boot.
– But replays changed the referee’s mind, before Alisson was similarly reprieved for a late foul on Ayrton Preciado.
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– “I think this was the first time this has happened,” said Alisson.
– “I am happy with the VAR, if it wasn’t for the VAR we’d have been punished unfairly.
– “I think my team-mates helped me a lot, they were incisive in their complaints to the referee. This shows once again the importance of using VAR in football.”
– Alisson couldn’t prevent Felix Torres’ late header earning the hosts a draw in an eventful World Cup qualifier in which both sides had a player sent off, without VAR coming to their rescue.
– Brazil, who have already qualified, went ahead through Casemiro’s close-range effort in the fifth minute.
– Ecuador keeper Alexander Dominguez was sent off for a reckless challenge after 15 minutes, before Brazil’s Emerson Royal was dismissed five minutes later.
– The hosts had a goal disallowed but Torres’ late header rescued a point.
– Ecuador are third in the 10-nation South American qualifying standings – the top four qualify automatically for the World Cup.
– Brazil have already qualified for this year’s finals in Qatar, along with Argentina.
– Ecuador also had two penalty awards overturned by VAR – including one in second-half stoppage time.
