World Cup Qualifiers: Brazil Struggle To Beat Venezuela Without Neymar | Football News

Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino scored the essential aim as Brazil laboured to a 1-Zero win over a effectively organized however restricted Venezuela of their World Cup qualifier on Friday. Firmino broke the impasse on 66 minutes in Sao Paulo, poaching a aim after Venezuelan defender Darwin Machis’ try to clear an Everton Ribeiro cross fell to him a couple of yards out. Firmino’s 16th aim 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 (5-0) and Peru (4-2) and high the South American qualifying desk with Argentina second.

Venezuela, who misplaced their first two qualifiers, had been set as much as include 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 might discover no approach by means of 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 lower brief when Firmino was adjudged to have been narrowly offside within the buildup.

For all Brazil’s urgent, Wuilker Farinez had little sufficient to do within the Venezuela aim, 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 effectively huge.

With 75 % possession however wanting concepts in assault, most of Brazil’s risk got here from the left and it was from there they labored their finest probability 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 aim.

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 Super Lague membership Dalian Professional, in any other case lower an remoted determine when not busy with defensive duties.

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, who hardly touched the ball throughout the entire match, reacted shortly to scramble the ball away when Rondon briefly threatened the Brazil aim on the loss of life.

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

A nervous Brazilian coach Tite may have seen how sorely his aspect 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.

Promoted

Venezuela host a resurgent Chile in Caracas on Tuesday.

Jose Peseiro’s aspect are more likely to keep their uncomfortable document of being the one South American crew by no means to qualify for a World Cup.