Brazil coach Tite hailed the impact of Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz during last night’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay after Everton’s Allan was ruled out through injury, speaking to Globo Esporte.
While Darwin Nunez and Diego Godin hit the woodwork at one end, Arthur and Richarlison found the net at the other with their first-half goals enough to seal victory over a Uruguay side shorn of Luis Suarez’s mercurial talent.
But while Richarlison had another night to remember on international duty, heading home a perfect Renan Lodi cross, his Everton teammate was forced to watch from the sidelines after suffering an ill-timed injury.
Allan’s absence opened the door for Douglas Luiz, however, and his Premier League rival impressed in a tough-tackling number six role as the Samba superstars maintained their 100 per cent start to World Cup qualification.
“Today, Douglas was decisive,” Tite said, before turning his attention to Richarlison.
“The story of today’s game was different from the one against Venezuela (a 1-0 win at the weekend). We knew we would be demanded more defensively, but we would have space offensively.
“We needed help on the left – and Richarlison did it.”
Everton will be thrilled to welcome the £40 million forward back into the fold after losing all three of the games Richarlison missed through suspension before the international break.
But it remains to be seen whether the influential Allan will be fit to feature against an improving Fulham side on Sunday.
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