Curitiba, Brazil, Nov 21: An 87th-minute equaliser by Ronaldo helped Brazil salvage a 3-3 draw at home to Uruguay after throwing away a two-goal lead in the World Cup qualifier. The world champions yesterday ripped Uruguay to shreds in the first half, going 2-0 up after 29 minutes through Kaka and Ronaldo and also missing a hatful of chances.

Uruguay, apparently down and out, hit back to lead 3-2 as Manchester United striker Diego Forlan scored twice and Arsenal's Gilberto Silva headed a bizarre own goal.

But the home team were saved from their first-ever home defeat in a World Cup qualifier when Ze Roberto set Ronaldo free and the Real Madrid striker scored his second goal of the game with an angled shot from the edge of the penalty area. Brazil, the only country to have played at every World Cup finals, have eight points from four matches in the South American group, while Uruguay have seven.

Uruguay coach Juan Ramon Carrasco stunned his compatriots by making five changes to the team which beat Chile 2-1 on Saturday.

Bureau Report