Historical Humiliation in Uruguay

Ana | Jun 06, 2009 | Comments 6

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33 years. This is how long it took for Brazil to defeat Uruguay at the Centenario stadium. The last time Brazil won there, Zico was having his debut with the yellow jersey. After that, people like Socrates, Careca, Muller, Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho Gaucho tried but did not win. None of today’s players were even born the last time Brazil achieved that victory.

This Saturday, Dunga, for the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers, put his name in the history of the national squad with a victory he did not have as a player. And it wasn’t just a victory. It was a massacre: 4-0. The greatest victory of the 3 that Brazil now has at the Centenario. And it could’ve been 6 or 7.

Uruguay pressured from the beginning, doing exactly the type of game that Dunga likes. The main difference between the 2 teams,however, was the man between the two bars. While Brazil had another stunning and solid performance by Julio Cesar, Uruguay suffered in the hands (or lack of them) of Viera. Out of the 3 balls that reached his goal, he allowed two of them to visit his net. Sure, the pitch helped Daniel Alves in the first, and Juan almost flew to head the second, but those were two fatal mistakes.

The goal, by Daniel Alves, was a reward for the number 2. One of the best on the pitch, both on the attack and specially on the defense. And the first half could’ve ended with a larger advantage had the referee given a penalty in Luis Fabiano.

The number 9, however, did not care. With just 6 minutes into the second-half, he scored the third, in a 119km/h rocket launched from his right foot. The 3-0 killed Uruguay. Brazil did not score more only because the Sevilla striker missed another two chances, but specially because the men responsible foe feeding him were not on a good day. Elano, Kaka, Kleber and Robinho were by far the worst players from Brazil.

As if feeling that he wasn’t going to score again, the referee ejected Luis Fabiano for absolutely no reason. According to him, Luis Fabiano dove to get a penalty. Not only that did not happen, but also the Argentinean yellow carded him for the second time. Too bad.

However, the man could not deny another penalty in Kaka just minutes later. The number 10 took it and nailed the coffin: 4-0. From there the Uruguayans took the path of violence. Dunga replaced Elano by Ramires, a great choice by the way, and he was the first victim. The referee sent the Uruguayan earlier to the locker room.

before the game was over, Dunga made those substitutions that served to remind us of his defensive ideals. Replaced Robinho and Kaka, the two most offensive players left on the pitch, by Josue and Julio Baptista. No Nilmar, No Pato. On that one, Dunga could’ve chosen something that would put a make up on his limitations. Still, the 4-0 is historical and impossible to argue against.

Now, we will take Paraguay in Recife with 2 important missions. Be able to deliver two good matches in a row. And, most important of all, be able to deliver good matches at home.

ps: As I write this, Paraguay is losing at home against Chile, which puts Brazil on the top of the qualifying.

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