After almost two years Luis Suarez scores crucial equaliser on international return

His return was much needed by Uruguay, whose squad had been rocked with injuries and suspensions.

Their entire first-choice defensive line was unavailable for the match against Brazil, leaving former Liverpool and Sunderland centre-back Sebastian Coates to lead the back four.

Uruguay’s makeshift defence failed their first test, allowing Brazil to take a very early lead.

With only 40 seconds on the clock, Willian jinked past Coates on the right wing and delivered a fizzing pass across the Uruguayan goalmouth.

Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa ghosted into the box and, unmarked, stabbed the ball into the net.

Brazil went on to play some attractive passing football, with their talented front three of Neymar, Willian and Douglas Costa constantly exchanging positions and confusing Uruguay’s sluggish defence.

The home side doubled their lead after 25 minutes when an attempted through pass from Neymar was poorly dealt with by Álvaro Pereira, allowing the ball to fall to Brazil’s Renato Augusto inside the penalty area.

The former Bayer Leverkusen and Corinthians midfielder coolly dribbled the Uruguayan goalkeeper and scored Brazil’s second.

Just as the match looked to be slipping out of Uruguay’s reach, with Brazil oozing confidence, the away side pulled a goal back.

Alvaro Pereira’s cross was poorly dealt with by both Filipe Luis and David Luiz, allowing Edinson Cavani to volley into the net on 31 minutes.

Brazil’s first-half confidence disappeared after the interval, made worse on 48 minutes when Luis Suarez levelled the scoring.

The Barcelona striker was given all sorts of space by David Luiz, and upon receiving a through ball from Alvaro Pereira, Suarez shot hard and low past Brazilian goalkeeper Allison.

Suarez even had the chance to win the match when, after a failed clearance from the hapless David Luiz, he found himself clean through on goal in the 85th minute.

His shot was blocked by Allison, however, and the points were shared.

The draw sees Uruguay remain in second place in the qualification standings, still with a three-point gap between themselves and early pace-setters Ecuador. Brazil, meanwhile, hold on to third place by virtue of goal difference.

Dunga’s men are level on points with Paraguay and rivals Argentina.

Both nations are in action again on Tuesday evening, with Uruguay hosting Peru in Montevideo and Brazil going away to face neighbours Paraguay.