Thursday night saw a wild clash between South American rivals Ecuador and Brazil. The game took in not one but two red cards, as well as another two overturned by VAR.
Both of those overturned red cards were for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and one came in injury time, when it seemed as though he had given away a penalty that would cost Brazil the game.
Ecuador v Brazil: Alisson Becker escapes two red cards
Brazil travelled to Quito on Thursday night in the knowledge that they are already safely qualified for this year's World Cup in Qatar. Their opponents Ecuador are seated in the qualification spots, but are not guaranteed to progress.
The World Cup qualifier on Thursday night therefore took on added weight for Ecuador.
The game did not get off to a good start for the home side, however, as their goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez was sent off after just 15 minutes for a wild moment. Domínguez completely missed the ball as he charged out of his goal, and a high boot caught Brazil's Matheus Cunha.
There are reckless challenges, and then there's THIS from Ecuador's Alexander Domínguez! 😲
A VAR review led to a red card after the goalkeeper's studs left Matheus Cunha with a cut on his neck 🟥 pic.twitter.com/l2PK719DGG— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) January 27, 2022
It was a crazy moment, but even more bizarre was the fact it was nearly replicated at the other end by Brazilian keeper Alisson just fifteen minutes later.
(The fifteen minutes between Domínguez's red card and Alisson's near-miss included Brazil taking the lead, and going down to ten men themselves when Spurs man Emerson Royal saw red)
And now it's Emerson Royal who's sent off! 😱
Ecuador get a lifeline as Brazil join them in being reduced to 10 men 👀 pic.twitter.com/f8GT9t7wKF— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) January 27, 2022
With Brazil now in the lead but all square on 10 men, Alisson came out of his goal to deal with an attack from Ecuador.
The Liverpool man came flying out of his goal in similar fashion to Domínguez. Though he made contact with the ball, his high boot crashed down onto Enner Valencia and the Brazilian keeper was sent off.
VAR saves Alisson from being this game's third red card! ❌
It's downgraded to a yellow card by the referee, the Liverpool keeper stays on, and it's still 10 v 10 🟨
What a half so far! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dpDkK3eZKg— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) January 27, 2022
A lengthy VAR review, however, recommended the red be downgraded to a yellow.
It would not be Becker's last near-miss in the game - or even his most dramatic.
With Ecuador equalising in the second-half, the last few moments of injury time were a nervy affair for Brazil. In another reckless moment, Alisson came flying out of his goal once again to stop an Ecuadorian attack but got just as much of the man as the ball. A penalty was given, with Alisson shown a second yellow card.
😱😱 Alisson gives away a stoppage time penalty AND is given a second yellow card...
...but VAR ultimately intervenes and saves him for a second time in the game! 😅
What a dramatic end to this game 😵 pic.twitter.com/SOtmWOCBXT— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) January 27, 2022
Yet again, however, the referee was instructed to reconsider and, after another offensively long VAR check, rescinded the penalty and once again reversed the decision to send off Alisson.
The Liverpool man will count himself lucky to have stayed on the pitch on Thursday, and will surely now be looking anxiously over his shoulder. Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson lies waiting in the wings if mistakes like these continue for Alisson.
We should see both Brazil and Ecuador at this year's World Cup - but we doubt any of their games will be as wild or entertaining as Thursday night's.
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