Brazil got a surprise wake-up call from Venezuela, ending the Selecao’s 15-match home winning streak with overhead kick at the death in their South American World Cup Qualifiers match early Friday morning.
In a match held at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil, the five-time World Cup champions dominated the game with Neymar assisting 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 journey to the next FIFA World Cup in Mexico/Canada/United States in 2026 is in full swing.
That’s why the CONMEBOL Qualifiers have reached their third stage, and the Canarinha aimed to stay at the top of the overall standings.
However, the Vinotinto faced the challenge bravely and secured a historic 1-1 draw, keeping their dreams of a first-ever World Cup appearance alive.
The result put an end to Brazil’s historic 15-game winning streak on home soil for WC qualifiers. Their last draw was a 2-2 against Uruguay in 2016.
The goals in this match came from Arsenal’s center-back, Gabriel, at the 50th minute of the second half for Brazil.
On the other hand, the unexpected tie came towards the end, courtesy of Eduard Bello, the striker from Liga MX’sMazatlán, in the 85th minute of the game.
Without the ‘number 9,’ the trio now led by Neymar Jr., Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo lacks someone to take advantage of crosses and receive assists.
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.