In a significant 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Uruguay has clinched a resounding 2-0 victory over Brazil, courtesy of goals by Darwin Nunez and Nicolas de la Cruz.
Uruguay’s Liverpool striker, Darwin Nunez, broke the deadlock just before halftime with a powerful header that eluded Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, finding the net at the near post. Nunez’s goal followed a precise cross from the left flank delivered by Maximiliano Araujo.
However, Brazil encountered a setback just before the interval when Neymar had to be stretchered off the field after a challenge from Nicolas de la Cruz.
De la Cruz himself doubled Uruguay’s lead, calmly slotting home a close-range effort, after receiving a pass from Nunez, just 13 minutes before the final whistle.
The match, held at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, leaves Uruguay positioned second in the 10-team South American group, accumulating seven points from four games, narrowly edging past Brazil based on goal difference.
In an earlier fixture, Venezuela demonstrated authority with a convincing 3-0 home victory over a 10-man Chile. Yeferson Soteldo not only found the net himself but also set up another goal. Soteldo unleashed a fierce shot into the far corner for the opening goal, following a precise interception by Jose Martinez from an errant pass by Paulo Diaz.
Soteldo subsequently turned provider, embarking on a skillful run and delivering a pinpoint cut-back from the left byline, which led to an easy tap-in for Salomon Rondon at the near post.
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Chile found themselves reduced to 10 players just before the hour mark when Marcelino Nunez received a second yellow card for dissent, closely following an earlier booking for a rugged challenge on Cristian Casseres.
Darwin Machis, who replaced Samuel Sosa, sealed Venezuela’s dominance with a close-range finish, capitalizing on Casseres’ header from Soteldo’s precise cross.
This outcome at the Estadio Monumental in Maturin leaves Venezuela with seven points from four qualifiers as they strive for their maiden appearance in football’s premier tournament. Chile, on the other hand, holds four points, with only one victory to their name.
In other South American qualifiers on Tuesday, Ecuador and Colombia played to a goalless draw in Ecuador, while Paraguay clinched a narrow 1-0 home victory over Bolivia.
