Alisson Ayrton Preciado Ecuador Brazil 2022Getty Images

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson shown two red cards in Ecuador vs Brazil only for VAR to save him

Brazil goalkeeper Alisson was shown a red card on two occasions against Ecuador only for VAR to intervene and reverse both decisions.

In the first half of the World Cup qualifier, a red card was issued by referee Wilmar Roldan for a high boot, although that was eventually downgraded to a yellow, while Alisson was also reprieved in the second half after a penalty was initially awarded.

In a fiery contest, Brazil full-back Emerson Royal and Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez were both sent off as both teams played the majority of the match with 10 men.

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Watch both red-card incidents involving Alisson (UK only)

Watch Alisson penalty incident (US only)

What happened?

Around the half-hour mark of the World Cup qualifier between Ecuador and Brazil, the Liverpool goalkeeper made contact with forward Enner Valencia in the action of clearing the ball away.

That led to the referee issuing a straight red card, only for VAR to review the incident and deem that Alisson did not use excessive force, downgrading the card to a yellow.

In the second half, the 29-year-old was again the focus of attention, as, in stoppage time, he punched the ball away, making contact with Ayrton Preciado in the process, resulting in a second yellow card and penalty being awarded.

VAR once again stepped in, however, with the penalty and red card overturned to mean the game finished 1-1, with both sides having already been reduced to 10 men.

Alisson punch Brazil EcuadorGetty Images

The result means that Ecuador missed out on what would have been a priceless three points in their attempts to qualify for the World Cup.

Gustavo Alfaro's side are currently third in the standings, with Brazil and Argentina both having already qualified for Qatar 2022, although they are still in a commanding position to seal their progression, with three games remaining.

What has Alisson said about the incidents?

Speaking after the game, Alisson told reporters: "I think this was the first time this has happened.

"I am happy with the VAR, if it wasn't for the VAR we'd have been punished unfairly.

"I think my team-mates helped me a lot, they were incisive in their complaints to the referee. This shows once again the importance of using VAR in football."

Further reading

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