World champion Brazil needed Emerson's goal
in the 68th minute to tie 1-1 with Uruguay on Wednesday night.
The result left the Brazilians second behind Argentina in South
America's World Cup qualifying race.
Winless in 29 years at Montevideo's Centenario Stadium, the Brazilians
dominated much of the game, but Uruguay fended off the challenges by the
five-time World Cup champions.
After a scoreless first half, Uruguay connected when Diego Forlan
flicking in a right-footed shot from inside the penalty area in the 48th
minute.
The goal set more than 50,000 Uruguayan fans thundering in the stands,
but triggered furious attacks as Brazil repeatedly moved within scoring
range with a star-studded squad led by Ronaldhino.
Emerson tied it 20 minutes after the first goal. After a corner kick,
Lucio headed the ball close to the Uruguayan goal and Emerson whirled
and booted it in at a sharp angle.
Brazil has 24 points in South American qualifying, while Uruguay reached
16 points and is in the middle of the 10-team standings in the chase to
reach Germany 2006. Argentina leads with 28 points.
The top four South American teams qualify for the World Cup finals,
while the fifth-place team plays the Oceania winner for the final spot.
The last time Brazil met Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier at Centenario
Stadium in 2001, Uruguay won 1-0. The stadium has been a notoriously
difficult venue for the Brazilians, who called up Ronaldo, Roberto
Carlos and others in hopes that firepower and finesse would beat the
odds at Centenario.
But now Brazil has scored only two goals in the last two Cup qualifiers,
including a 1-0 win last Saturday over Peru at home that had Brazilians
fans booing.
