Brazil struggle to beat Venezuela without Neymar

Firmino broke the impasse on 66 minutes in Sao Paulo, poaching a objective after Venezuelan defender Darwin Machis’ try to clear an Everton Ribeiro cross fell to him a couple of yards out.

Firmino’s 16th objective in 47 appearances for the Selecao was sufficient to take care of their 100 % document within the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Brazil have already overwhelmed Bolivia (5-Zero) and Peru (Four-2) and prime the South American qualifying desk with Argentina second.

Venezuela, who misplaced their first two qualifiers, had been set as much as comprise and held the Brazilians scoreless at half time within the abandoned Morumbi stadium.

The hosts missed the injured Neymar’s creativity in midfield, however even with an assault sporting Firmino, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison, they may discover no method by the mass Venezuelan defence within the first half.

Richarlison did have the ball within the web early on however the Everton striker’s celebrations had been reduce quick when Firmino was adjuged to have been narrowly offside within the buildup.

For all Brazil’s urgent, Wuilker Farinez had little sufficient to do within the Venezuela objective, however the keeper made a flying save to beat away a bouncing shot from Firmino simply earlier than the half-hour, the Liverpool striker heading the ensuing nook nicely huge.

With 75 % possession however in need of concepts in assault, most of Brazil’s risk got here from the left and it was from there they labored their finest likelihood on 32 minutes, Atletico Madrid’s Renan Lodi whipping in a cross that Gabriel Jesus after which Richarlison, at full stretch, failed to show in to a gaping objective.

Venezuela’s solely risk got here from a break up the left wing by Yeferson Soteldo, whose cross for Salomon Rondon was hacked away by Marquinhos.

Rondon, previously of West Bromwich Albion and now plying his commerce for Chinese language Tremendous Lague membership Dalian Skilled, in any other case reduce an remoted determine when not busy with defensive duties.

Manchester Metropolis goalkeeper Ederson, who hardly touched the ball throughout the entire match, reacted shortly to scramble the ball away when Rondon briefly threatened the Brazil objective on the demise.

Venezuela’s Corinthians star Romulo Otero wasted Venezuela’s solely different actual likelihood when he fired a 25-meter free kick over Ederson’s bar in harm time.

A fearful Brazilian coach Tite can have seen how sorely his facet missed Neymar’s invention.

The Paris Saint-Germain star, who suffered a thigh harm in a Champions League match final month, can be set to overlook Tuesday’s match with Uruguay in Montevideo.

Venezuela host a resurgent Chile in Caracas on Tuesday.

Jose Peseiro’s facet are prone to keep their uncomfortable document of being the one South American staff by no means to qualify for a World Cup.

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