da leao： The Al-Hilal forward was back to his best, but a 15-match home win streak for the Selecao ended as Venezuela scored an overhead kick at the death.
da betobet： Neymar assisted one goal, and was typically influential throughout, but a late bicycle kick from Venzuela's Eduard Bello nullified his efforts, as his side settled for a 1-1 draw with Venezuela in an often feisty 2026 World Cup qualifier.
The Selecao were dominant for long stretches, and looked likely to snatch three points, but their inability to kill off the game left the door open for an equaliser — and Bello delivered.
Both sides had half chances in the first half. Neymar fired over the bar from 25 yards out, while Salomon Rondon caused the occasional problem in the Brazil box. Casemiro came closest, seeing a long-range effort denied by a fine diving stop.
The Selecao didn't need long in the second half to seize control, though. Gabriel provided the goal, sending Neymar's corner kick into the net with a thumping header. Neymar should have made it two shortly after, but blasted over following a classy counter-attack. Rodrygo skewed a chance of his own five minutes later.
Still, Brazil didn't find daylight. Ederson had to make a full-stretch save, while some smart defensive work kept Venezuela at bay. But they could do little about the visitors' equaliser. Bello's goal was an unstoppable thing, the substitute contorting his body at a near-impossible angle to find the bottom corner with a breathtaking bicycle kick in the final minutes of normal time.
GOAL rates Brazil's players from Arena Pantanal…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (7/10):
Made an excellent save at 1-0, but could do little about the equaliser.
Danilo (4/10):
A peripheral figure before being removed due to injury.
Marquinhos (5/10):
A bit loose on the ball, and almost gave it away in key areas.
Gabriel (7/10):
His header to open it was a thing of beauty. Can't be faulted for any defensive work, either.
Guilherme Arana (6/10):
Solid, if unspectacular at left-back.
AdvertisementMidfield
Bruno Guimaraes (6/10):
Kept things tidy, and broke up play. Isn't necessarily the most dynamic midfielder to have alongside Casemiro.
Casemiro (6/10):
Had an effort well denied, and moved the ball well. His defensive weaknesses are less apparent when he doesn't have to defend.
Neymar (8/10):
Offered his usual attacking thrust with some lovely pieces of skill and driving runs. Smartly denied early in the second half. Assisted Gabriel's goal. Magical at times.
Getty ImagesAttack
Rodrygo (5/10):
Hit the side netting when offered a big chance in the second half. It's not quite working for him at the minute.
Richarlison (5/10):
Made the right runs, and can't be faulted for his off-ball work, but didn't offer much in terms of final product.
Vinicius Jr (5/10):
Some of his passing was loose, and he made the wrong decision a few times. Still not back to his best after missing a month.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Yan Cuoto (6/10):
Kept things tidy and enjoyed a solid debut.
Gabriel Jesus (6/10):
Offered more in link up play than Richarlison. Probably deserves a start.
Andre (5/10):
Certainly unafraid to get stuck in. Genuine case to be sent off within five minutes of entering the fray.
Gerson (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Matheus Cunha (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Fernando Diniz (7/10):
The interim boss put out more or less his strongest XI, and they turned in a middling performance. This wasn't always pretty, and Brazil, as usual, relied too heavily on Neymar. Not sure he can be blamed for the miracle strike that leveled things, though. A frustrating point.