Disappointment of Brazil and big surprise Venezuela in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. La Vinotinto achieved the golden point in Cuiabá with a Chilean from Eduardo Bello who left the exhibition of Neymar. A very gray performance by Canarinha, who gave the lead in the classification to Argentina, who now won 1-0 against Paraguay.
Neymar was not enough to add to the three points at home against Venezuela, who knew how to weather the downpour until Bello came up with an epic shot in the 85th minute. Before, Gabriel Magalhães put Fernando Diniz’s team ahead in the 50th. The match ended in tanganza between the players of both teams.
It was a sad night for the green-yellow team. Beyond Vinícius Júnior’s careful performances, always a superb score; Rodrygo, who was still denied a goal; and a Richarlison disappeared from the area. Vinotinto stood tall, did plenty of damage at set pieces and eventually silenced the Arena Pantanal to secure a second draw against Brazil in the World Cup qualifiers.
At 1-1, the five-time world champions are second with seven points and Venezuela is in sixth position with four. The next day, Brazil plays Uruguay in Montevideo and Venezuela hosts Chile. Diniz’s team started at full steam, but the engine seized immediately.
It was Brazil who raised expectations through the roof with a Neymar hat-trick in the opening seconds and the devilish action of the entire team. Brazil is loose and loose. Neymar was the beacon in those first few minutes with a celebration of dribbles, pipes and a few shots from outside the area.
The goal seemed like an hour, but that frenzy gave way to an unparalleled exchange of passes. The Arena Pantanal grass question didn’t help either. Venezuela resisted the offensive and calmed the game with skill. The first thing he did was tie Vinícius short.
Alexander González won almost all the duels against the Madrid winger, who was always marked by two men. Even Machís came down to neutralize the number 7 shirt. Rodrygo was still in grief and Richarlison was unable to force himself into place. 70% of the ownership area is underutilized.
Late in the first half, Brazil tried with lateral crosses and it didn’t work either. Casemiro, impatient, tried from distance. Added to this was the injury of Danilo, who had to retire to make way for debutant Yan Couto, from Girona. La Vinotinto brought danger from a set piece. Rincón came close to scoring with a header at the far post. The midfielder shined more in defense and in teasing Neymar.
‘Ney’ cross and Magalhaes goal
In the second half, Neymar again took charge. The Al-Hilal forward tested Romo again, deflecting it into the corner that would end Brazil’s first goal. The 10th centered and Magalhães headed at the near post. Those from Diniz have done the hardest thing.
Also in a corner kick, Fernando Batista’s painting was about to tie with Wilker Ángel. Ederson avoided it with the tips of his fingers. From there, the fight broke down. Soteldo’s entry boosted the Venezuelans, who tied the game when everyone had taken the local victory for granted.
Savarino put in a measured cross from the wing and Bello finished off a bicycle kick and caught Ederson on the wrong foot, just making a statue. Delirium on the Vinotinto bench, who scraped a draw to keep believing in the World Cup dream.
DATA SHEET
1 – Brazil: Ederson; Danilo (m.42, Yan Couto), Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Guilherme Arana; Casemiro (m.79, Gerson), Bruno Guimarães (m.79, André); Neymar, Vinícius Júnior (m.79, Matheus Cunha), Rodrygo and Richarlison (m.58, Gabriel Jesus)
Coach: Fernando Diniz
1 – Venezuela: Rafael Romo; Alexander González, Yordan Osorio, Wilker Ángel, Makoun; Samuel Sosa (m.80, Eduard Bello), Yangel Herrera (m.46, Cristian Cásseres), Tomás Rincón (m.67, Júnior Moreno); Darwin Machís (m.58, Yeferson Soteldo), Sergio Córdova (m.46, Jefferson Savarino) and Salomón Rondón
Coach: Fernando Batista
The objectives: 1-0, Gabriel Magalhães (m. 50); 1-1, Eduard Bello (d. 85)
Referee: Peruvian Kevin Ortega advised Herrera, Rincón, Richarlison and André
Incidents: against the third day of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, played at the Arena Pantanal, in Cuiabá. Pink ball to raise awareness about breast cancer
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
