Brazil held to a draw against Venezuela still undefeated at home

Brazil, with a lackluster Vinicius who notably missed a penalty, escaped the Venezuelan trap with a tense draw (1-1) which will leave it with regrets, during the qualifiers for the South America zone for the 2026 World Cup. After a start to 2024 to forget, the Seleçao, which continues its convalescence with its new coach Dorival junior appointed in March, nevertheless takes its 7th point in three matches and returns to the top of the ranking (4th with 17 points to 5 from Argentina).

She is not yet reassuring about her level of play and in particular about her defensive deficiencies. The Brazilians were notably unable to benefit from numerical superiority at the end of the match after the expulsion of Alexander Gonzalez for a foul on Gabriel (90th).

An invincible Venezuela at home

Scalded by a debacle at altitude in Bolivia 4-0, then a defeat in Paraguay (2-1), Venezuela stopped the bleeding and remained in the race to qualify for the first World Cup in its history. If he does not excel away, at home however Fernando Batista's men are undefeated in front of their home crowd since the start of these qualifiers. They notably held Argentina and Uruguay in check. Supported by 50,000 spectators regularly chanting “Si! Se puede!” (Yes it's possible!), Venezuela, 7th with 13 points, is the only Conmebol country not to have participated in a World Cup.

The Brazilians took the game into their own hands against Venezuela, who had put in place an anti-Vinicius plan with Aramburu (Real Sociedad) and a false right winger Murillo (Atlas -Mexico) to try to muzzle the magician of Real, placed to the left of the Brazilian attack. Vinicius Jr, who promised to do “even more” to convince his detractors that he deserved the Ballon d'Or, shone at times, notably finding the post on a bright pass from Savinho (22nd). But it was especially Raphinha and Savinho, much freer on his right flank, who showed themselves to their advantage. And it was Raphinha with a masterful free kick from the left that opened the scoring (43rd).

The 21-year-old Venezuelan prospect, Telasco Segovia, came on at the break to give the Caribbean country some offensive momentum, pinning Brazil down a minute later (46th) with a powerful right-footed shot after a great maneuver collective. Brazil then pressed to no avail. Vinicius did obtain a penalty, cut down by the Venezuelan goalkeeper Romo, on a nice escape on the left flank at the edge of the area, but he then failed on the same Romo, author of a save (62nd) which made explode the crowd.

Next meeting for Brazil: Uruguay.

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