Uruguay ended a goal drought stretching back to November 2020 but needed an own goal from Arturo Vidal to rescue a point against Chile in their Group A encounter.
Chile took the lead midway through the first half in Cuiabá, with Eduardo Vargas playing a nice one-two with Ben Brereton before firing an unstoppable shot past Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
Following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Argentina in their first game, Uruguay could not afford a second consecutive defeat. Óscar Tabárez’s team improved after the break and were level in the 66th minute. Matías Vecino flicked on a corner and as Luis Suárez grappled with Vidal, the ball was knocked into the roof of the net.
The goal was first given to Suárez but then classed as an own goal. Vidal was replaced moments later after complaining he had been fouled by his former Barcelona teammate. Uruguay finished the stronger with Suárez and Edinson Cavani both coming close, but the points were shared.
There was controversy ahead of the game, with Chile admitting some of their players – including Vidal – had breached the bubble set up to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Elsewhere in the group, Argentina play Paraguay in Brasília later on Monday.
Sunday’s matches in Group B saw Colombia slip to an unexpected 2-1 defeat to Peru while Ronald Hernández’s injury-time goal earned Venezuela a point in their 2-2 draw with Ecuador.
