Venezuela v Brazil Live Commentary & Result, 7/10/21, CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	BRA Brazil	17	14	3	0	40	5	+35	45	W W W D D
2	ARG Argentina	17	11	6	0	27	8	+19	39	D W W W D
3	URU Uruguay	18	8	4	6	22	22	0	28	W W W W L
4	ECU Ecuador	18	7	5	6	27	19	+8	26	D L D D W
5	PER Peru	18	7	3	8	19	22	-3	24	W L D W W
6	COL Colombia	18	5	8	5	20	19	+1	23	W W L L D
7	CHI Chile	18	5	4	9	19	26	-7	19	L L W L L
8	PAR Paraguay	18	3	7	8	12	26	-14	16	L W L L D
9	BOL Bolivia	18	4	3	11	23	42	-19	15	L L L L W
10	VEN Venezuela	18	3	1	14	14	34	-20	10	L L L W L

That concludes our commentary of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier between Venezuela and Brazil! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!

Venezuela are in action again on the 10th, when they host Ecuador. Brazil continue their travels on Sunday, when they visit Colombia.

Venezuela looked on-course to secure a historic first-ever victory against Brazil, but two late goals saw the visitors steal all-three points for yet another victory in Caracas. Ramirez’s goal in the first-half looked to be decisive as the hosts held the lead for an hour, but Raphinha’s introduction made all the difference as his corner found the head of Marquinhos - levelling the score with 19 minutes left. Things went from bad to worse at the 85th however, as Gonzalez’s mistimed challenge brought Gabi down inside the penalty area, allowing the striker to convert from the spot. A late Antony third confirmed the victory for Tite’s side, in the Ajax winger’s first senior international cap for Brazil. The continues the Selecao’s perfect record in qualification, while the loss keeps Venezuela at the bottom.

90' + 6' FULL-TIME: VENEZUELA 1-3 BRAZIL.

Raphinha

Assist

90' + 5' Raphinha's introduction has been crucial for Brazil, as the Leeds United winger notches his second assist of the match.

Antony

Goal

90' + 5' ANTONY ADDS A THIRD AT THE DEATH! Raphinha is decisive yet again, bursting into the penalty area and squaring a lovely pass to Antony - whose finish at the second time of asking is his first goal for Brazil in his first appearance! 3-1!

90' + 3' The fourth official indicates six minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.

Alex Sandro

Guilherme Arana

90' + 1' Juventus' Sandro is introduced in injury time as a left-back replacement for Arana.

90' Soteldo curls a shot from outside the penalty area looking for the far corner - but he gets his angles wrong as it flies wide of the target.

R. Hernández

Yellow Card

88' The referee calls play to a halt to book Hernandez for a challenge in midfield on Arana. It’s the third yellow of the game.

Gabriel Barbosa

Penalty Goal

85' GABI MAKES NO MISTAKE! The man who earned the penalty takes it with aplomb as his eccentric run-up is met with a thunderous finish high into the roof of the net! 2-1!

83' PENALTY FOR BRAZIL! Vinicius’ shot is pushed back into danger by Graterol, who gifts possession to Gabi inside the six-yard box. Gonzalez’s desperate lunge in order to dispossess the striker is mistimed, as he catches the forward and brings him down! Can the Selecao take a late lead?!

81' In 26 meetings in official competition beginning in 1969, Brazil have never lost to Venezuela. They’ve taken all-three points in every meeting except for three draws which came in 2009, 2011, and 2019.

E. Bello

Yellow Card

79' Bello brings down Emerson and receives just the second booking of the match.

Emerson

Danilo

77' Tottenham’s Emerson is sent on by Tite, with Danilo called to the bench.

Antony

Gabriel Jesus

77' Ajax’s Antony is on for his senior debut as well, replacing Jesus.

76' The home faithful will no doubt be disappointed, but this is no time to let heads drop as a draw would still be a fantastic result for Venezuela. They’ve only ever taken a single point from Brazil in World Cup qualifying in their history, which could be doubled tonight.

S. Córdova

D. Machís

74' Cordova gets a chance to influence the match in the closing stages, with Machis making way.

J. Moreno

T. Rincón

74' Rincon departs with 16 minutes remaining, as Leonardo Gonzalez sends on Moreno.

Raphinha

Assist

71' The debutant marks his first international cap with an assist as Raphinha's corner set Marquinhos up for the goal!

Marquinhos

Goal

71' MARQUINHOS LEVELS THE SCORE! Raphinha’s outswinging corner finds the head of the PSG centre-back, who rises high to force the ball between the goalkeeper’s gloves and the post! 1-1!

69' Soteldo’s quick footwork opens up space for a shot and the forward obliges with a low strike that forces Alisson into a diving catch.

67' Soteldo shifts down the left flank, fooling Danilo in the process as he opens up space for a pass inside to Machis. The winger takes a speculative shot from a long way out which never looks likely to trouble Alisson.

E. Castillo

José Martínez

65' The midfielder’s attempts to run off the injury are futile as he indicates he will be unable to continue. Castillo is sent on in his place.

64' Fabinho runs through Martinez, with the knee-on-knee collision leaving the Venezuela midfielder on the ground in some pain.

Vinícius Júnior

Lucas Paquetá

63' Paqueta makes way for Vinicius as Tite shuffles his pack with 27 minutes left.

62' Fabinho runs through Martinez, with the knee-on-knee collision leaving the Venezuela midfielder on the ground in some pain.

Marquinhos

Yellow Card

60' Marquinhos is booked for a foul during an aerial duel with Soteldo. The diminutive forward received an elbow in the back of the head - which looks a painful hit.

E. Bello

A. Peñaranda

59' Bello is sent on for Penaranda with just over 30 minutes remaining.

57' BRAZIL LEVEL THE SCORE BUT IT’S OFFSIDE! Raphinha’s delivery from a set-piece on the left finds the head of Silva - who powers it home with a powerful header but the linesman’s flag is raised immediately for offside on the Chelsea centre-back, which VAR confirms.

55' Raphinha’s trickery down the right again wins his side a corner, which he takes himself. The inswinger is a dangerous effort - met with a diving clearance at the near post by Rincon.

53' Brazil win a corner at the other end thanks to Raphinha, but it’s a similarly poor delivery - which rolls out of the penalty area to the far side for Hernandez.

51' The second effort is taken to the edge of the penalty area for Rincon, but it’s mishit - which allows Brazil to clear their lines.

50' Soteldo swings in a Venezuela corner after Alisson’s misplaced pass wins the hosts a set-piece, but the delivery looking for Chancellor is nodded behind by Marquinhos, who gives the Vinotinto a retry.

48' Fabinho is called for a foul on Penaranda inside the centre-circle, giving Venezuela a chance to regroup.

46' Venezuela get the match restarted from the kick-off!

Raphinha

Éverton Ribeiro

46' Raphinha is on for his first senior international appearance, replacing Ribeiro.

J. Chancellor

J. Mejías

46' Venezuela make a change at half-time, replacing Mejias with Chancellor.

Despite the absence of Casemiro and Neymar, Tite still has a wealth of options on the bench, all of whom are ready and capable of changing a match. Raphinha’s pace down the flank would cause trouble for any defence - especially with tiring legs - while Ajax’s Antony and Real Madrid’s Vinicius are both capable of producing a goal despite their young age. Venezuela will no-doubt drop deeper as the match goes on with a 1-0 score more than sufficient, so it will be up to Brazil to unpick the lock and get themselves back into contest.

A somewhat surprising score at half-time sees Venezuela lead Brazil 1-0 in Caracas. The only goal, scored after just 11 minutes, was the product of fantastic work from Soteldo - who is having a tremendous match for the hosts. The Toronto FC forward dropped deep to start the move before buzzing ahead and playing a perfect cross into Ramirez for the striker’s first international goal. The Selecao had their opportunities, but Jesus and Ribeiro squandered opportunities to level from close range, with Ferraresi’s crucial deflection decisive on what seemed like a tap-in for Ribeiro. It’s been a fantastic match which should only get better in the second half as the visitors become more desperate.

45' + 2' HALF-TIME: VENEZUELA 1-0 BRAZIL.

45' The fourth official indicates two minutes will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.

43' Soteldo gets forward and again looks for the head of Ramirez with a cross, but the striker’s header is deflected - taking it to the far post for Machis. The winger winds up and has a strike, but Alisson makes the all-important save.

41' Ribeiro executes a lovely backheel flick in order to control Gabi’s leading pass inside the penalty area, but two defenders converge and squeeze out the winger - shielding the ball out of play for a goal-kick.

39' Paqueta gets away from his defender well and turns to switch the play but a heavy cross puts it over Ribeiro’s head and out for a Venezuela throw.

37' Brazil have just under 10 minutes left to get their opener and change the complexion of the match before half-time. It hasn’t been a great performance from the visitors, though they’ve had their fair share of chances to get level.

35' Soteldo looks for Ferraresi with his corner-kick, but Alisson is alert and rises highest to claim the ball with his gloves.

33' Soteldo is fouled by Gerson, who was a bit overzealous in his attempts to win back the ball just outside Venezuela’s 18-yard box. It’s a free-kick for the hosts, who are desperate to get to the half-time interval.

31' Ribeiro's delivery towards the six-yard box is met by a punch from Graterol - who does well to clear his lines confidently.

29' Arana is brought down by Hernandez during an aerial duel on the left - which gives Brazil another chance to attack from a set-piece.

27' Danilo looks to cut inside and play a cross to the far post but a fantastic tackle from Gonzalez puts the ball out of play for a throw-in, allowing his side to reorganise.

25' Worrying signs for Venezuela as Ramirez - the goalscorer - has gone down grabbing the back of his leg. It comes after a challenge with Fabinho and it brings play to a halt as the striker can receive some treatment.

23' WHAT A CHANCE! Paqueta plays Ribeiro clear-through on goal and the winger takes a touch to set himself before having a left-footed strike at goal. Ferraresi somehow manages to get a touch to the shot - which sends it over the goalkeeper and off the crossbar before it’s turned behind for a corner!

21' Venezuela are very happy to keep the ball any way they can in order to force Brazil forward before hitting over the top. The hosts don’t seem bothered to come forward unless an opportunity presents itself - as is their right after going a goal ahead.

19' JESUS STRAYS OFFSIDE! Danilo’s low cross is fizzed into the penalty area for Paqueta, who is unable to get a clean strike on the ball. The ensuing scramble in the penalty area goes the way of the Manchester City forward, who is able to get a clear sight at goal - missing the target by inches! His blushes are saved, however, as the linesman’s flag is raised after a slight delay as he was unable to keep onside.

17' Danilo swings in the free-kick but Paqueta is unable to turn his header towards goal as it’s cleared desperately by a Venezuela defender.

15' Ribeiro is brought down on the right by Penaranda, who gives away a free-kick and a chance for Brazil to trouble Graterol.

13' Ramirez’s goal is his first for his country - and it couldn’t be more important. It’s Venezuela’s fourth-ever goal against Brazil in World Cup qualifying - and it’s in front of the home support.

Y. Soteldo

Assist

11' Toronto FC’s Soteldo picks up the assist with a wonderful cross to find his striker.

E. Ramírez

Goal

11' VENEZUELA TAKE THE LEAD! A clever move ends in a fantastic finish as Soteldo comes across to the right in order to pick up the ball, before chipping an inviting cross towards the penalty spot. Ramirez is stationed perfectly to nod a deft header into the back of the net - leaving Alisson sprawling! 1-0!

9' Machis picks his head up and plays a clever cross to the far post for Ramirez, who is put offside by a coordinated Brazil move as the visitors are awarded a free-kick.

7' SHOT! Gabi has space to turn 20 yards from goal and drags a left-footed shot across the goalkeeper - missing the inside of the far post as it goes narrowly wide!

5' A pass from the right cuts through the Brazil defence for Soteldo, who is unable to get the ball out from under his feet to have a strike at goal. Danilo does well to cut across and clear the ball away, but it’s an early warning sign for Tite.

3' Neymar is absent from the matchday squad, leaving the task of goalscoring to the combination of Manchester City’s Jesus and Gabi of Flamengo. The pair have combined for 61 appearances for the Selecao, scoring 21 goals in the process.

1' Brazil get the match underway from the kick-off in Caracas!

Tite lines Brazil up in their standard 4-4-2, with Alisson chosen over Ederson to start in goal. The experienced centre-back pairing of SIlva and Marquinhos is joined on either side by Arana and Danilo at left and right back to complete the defence. Paqueta and Ribeiro start on the wings with Fabinho and Gerson patrolling midfield, while an attacking duo of Gabi and Jesus will provide the Venezuela defence all they can handle.

Venezuela start with Graterol between the posts, behind a back four of Hernandez, Mejias, Ferraresi and Gonzelez. Martinez and Soteldo sit in midfield either side of captain Rincon, while an attacking trident of Penaranda, Ramirez and Machis will look to supply the side with goals.

BRAZIL SUBS: Weverton, Ederson, Alex Sandro, Emerson, Eder Militao, Lucas Verissimo, Fred, Edenilson, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior, Arthur Cabral, Antony.

BRAZIL XI (4-4-2): Alisson; Guilherme Arana, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo; Lucas Paqueta, Gerson, Fabinho, Everton Ribeiro; Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Barbosa.

VENEZUELA SUBS: Wuilker Farinez, Luis Romero, Jhon Chancellor, Christian Makoun, Roberto Rosales, Daniel Carrillo, Eduard Bello, Cristian Casseres, Fernando Aristeguieta, Sergio Cordova.

VENEZUELA XI (4-3-3): Joel Graterol; Ronald Hernandez, Joshua Mejias, Nahuel Ferraresi, Oscar Gonzalez; Jose Martinez, Tomas Rincon, Yeferson Soteldo; Adalberto Penaranda, Eric Ramirez, Darwin Machis.

With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let's take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with our hosts!

All-conquering Brazil have managed eight wins from eight matches played, which has Tite’s side in a commanding position - six points ahead of Argentina at the top of the group. Normally known for their attacking flair, it’s been the Selecao’s rock-solid defence that has kept them on top, going six consecutive matches since conceding a goal (a 4-2 win over Peru 11 months ago).

Bringing up the rear in South American World Cup qualification, Venezuela have managed just four points in their opening nine matches. Having never beaten Brazil in an official match, today’s hosts will be looking to at least keep it tight at the back, as it was in their match last November; a contest the Selecao won 1-0 thanks to a late Roberto Firmino goal.

Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying fixture between Venezuela and Brazil!

Venezuela v Brazil Live Commentary, 8/10/21

Key Events

Match Stats

Key

Commentary