By DPA
Sao Paulo : Brazil played badly but still came back to beat Uruguay 2-1 in the South American qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
With the win Wednesday, Brazil is now second with eight points behind Argentina on nine. Colombia and Paraguay — with a game in hand — also have eight points.
Uruguay pulled ahead in Sao Paulo’s Morumbi stadium through a goal by veteran striker Sebastian Abreu in the eighth minute. Uruguay played an excellent first half and had multiple chances to stretch its lead before Luis Fabiano obtained an unlikely equaliser one minute before the break.
Some 15 minutes into the second half, Uruguay appeared to tire after the huge effort of the first 45 minutes, and Fabiano made the most of the circumstances to make the score 2-1.
Brazilian players were relieved with the result, after their worst game in the South American qualifiers so far. Kaka described the game as “a very difficult match”, while Maicon noted: “Games against Uruguay are always tough”.
“We played a great game, and we deserved better luck, I think,” said Uruguayan Diego Godin.
Uruguayan captain Diego Lugano said the team “lacked a little more experience” to close off the game.
Ronaldinho was booed profusely when he was substituted in the second half, while spectators in Sao Paulo did not cheer Brazil at the end of the game.