Uruguay captain Luis Suarez (right) vies for the ball with Brazil’s David Luiz in their 2018 Fifa World Cup South American qualifier in Recife, Brazil, on Friday. The match ended 2-2. (Photo: AFP)
Uruguay captain Luis Suarez (right) vies for the ball with Brazil’s David Luiz in their 2018 Fifa World Cup South American qualifier in Recife, Brazil, on Friday. The match ended 2-2. (Photo: AFP)
Luis Suarez scored on his return from a worldwide ban for biting as Uruguay fought back from 2-0 down to grab a 2-2 draw with Brazil in a pulsating World Cup qualifying battle here on Friday. Barcelona star Suarez — playing his first international since infamously chomping on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup — struck in the 48th minute to complete a remarkable Uruguayan fightback.
Uruguay had looked to be sliding to a heavy defeat after Brazil went 2-0 up inside the first half an hour thanks to goals from Bayern Munich striker Douglas Costa and Renato Augusto.
But Edinson Cavani pulled a goal back for Uruguay to allow Suarez — installed as captain by coach Oscar Tabarez — his moment of glory at the Arena Pernambuco.
The draw left Uruguay in second place in the South American standings, three points behind leaders Ecuador with 10 points from five games.
Brazil moved up to third, level on eight points with Argentina and Paraguay but ahead on goal difference.
Guatemala stun USA; Mexico beat Canada Guatemala dealt a lacklustre United States a devastating 2-0 defeat in Guatemala City.
With goals in the first 15 minutes from Rafael Morales and Carlos Ruiz and an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Paulo Motta, Guatemala earned their first ever World Cup qualifying victory over the USA and leapfrogged over Jurgen Klinsmann's men into second place in Group C in the fourth round of qualifying in North and Central America
In Vancouver, Mexico defeated Canada 3-0 to post their third win in as many matches.
The dominant victory included goals from Javier Hernandez, Hirving Lozano and Jesus Corona.
