In the hearts of passionate and hopeful Brazilian fans, it has almost become a foregone conclusion: their local team remains unbeaten. However, on the morning of October 18th, in the fourth round of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Uruguay challenged Brazil, bringing a stunning match to the world football scene. In this game, the Brazilian team suffered a painful setback, losing 0-2 to Uruguay. This not only bid farewell to their unbeaten record in this qualifying match, but also reminded the global football community that there is no definite victory.
Neymar's Retirement: Brazil Loses Core Forward
The major turning point of this game occurred in the first half when Brazilian forward core Neymar was injured and left the field. Neymar has always been the soul of the Brazilian team's attacking system. His speed, skills, and creativity make his opponents tremble at the news. However, in the 45th and 2nd minutes of the game, Neymar collided with Uruguayan player De La Cruz while dribbling. He painfully covered his left knee and couldn't hold on. In the end, he was stretchered off the field. This injury is undoubtedly a huge blow for the Brazilian team, as they have lost a world-class player and a crucial component of their attack.
Uruguay's superb defense: Nunez's brilliant goal
The Uruguay team demonstrated excellent defensive skills in the game. They limited the attacking opportunities of the Brazilian team, and their excellent organization and solid defense made it difficult for the Brazilian team to penetrate. Uruguayan striker Nunez became the hero of this game, scoring in the 42nd minute to open the score. This goal not only showcases Nunez's shooting skills, but also showcases Uruguay's teamwork and attacking spirit. Nunez's performance left an indelible mark on Uruguay for Brazil.
The Brazilian team missed some valuable scoring opportunities in the game. The referee's decision during the game has also sparked controversy. In some cases, the Brazilian team wanted to receive a penalty, but the referee did not make such a decision. Uruguayan goalkeeper De La Cruz was also a key figure in this game. He not only blocked the Brazilian team's attack, but also scored Uruguay's second goal in the second half, helping the team stabilize their victory in the game.
Brazil's Mistakes and Losses: A Critical Moment for Araujo and Machinios
In the game, some mistakes made by the Brazilian team gave Uruguay a chance to win. As early as 10 minutes into the game, Araujo of the Brazilian team had knocked down their opponents consecutively and received a yellow card, indicating the intensity of the game. In addition, Marcinios made a mistake in the second half and parked the ball directly outside the baseline, giving the ball to the corner of Uruguay. Although it ultimately failed to translate into a goal, these detailed mistakes still affected the performance of the Brazilian team. After the game, both the Brazilian players and the coaching staff felt disappointed. Their unbeaten record has been broken. This defeat prompted them to re-examine their performance.
