Raphinha nets free-kick; Vinicius Junior misses penalty in Brazil's 1-1 draw against Venezuela

NEW DELHI: Brazil's World Cup qualifying campaign encountered a setback as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela in their CONMEBOL qualifier on Thursday.

Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, the five-time World Cup winners were unable to secure all three points.

The match started promisingly for Brazil, with Vinicius Junior, fresh from his hat-trick for Real Madrid, proving to be a constant threat on the left flank.

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However, it was Raphinha who broke the deadlock with a superb free-kick just before halftime, giving Brazil a deserved lead.

Venezuela responded quickly after the break, with substitute Telasco Segovia equalizing within a minute of coming on, capitalizing on a smart lay-off from Jefferson Savarino.

Brazil had a golden opportunity to regain the lead when Vinicius Junior was brought down in the box, but the winger's penalty was saved by the Venezuelan goalkeeper, Rafael Romo.

Despite their relentless attacking efforts, Brazil were unable to find the winning goal, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

The result leaves Brazil in third place in the CONMEBOL standings with 17 points, while Venezuela remain in seventh place with 12 points.

The top six teams in the CONMEBOL qualifiers will secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with the seventh-place team entering an Inter-confederation playoff.

While the draw may be seen as a setback for Brazil, it highlights the competitiveness of the CONMEBOL qualifiers and the challenges faced by even the most talented teams.

As the qualifying campaign progresses, Brazil will need to maintain their focus and consistency to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.