- Brazil is fourth in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying after Thursday’s draw
- Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr missed a penalty as the Selecao continued to stumble
- Is Harry Kane right to criticize England’s dropouts? LISTEN NOW: It’s all starting! Available wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes every Monday and Thursday.
Brazil’s quest to score a last-minute goal in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela was incredibly interrupted by sprinklers on Thursday night.
The South American giants attempted a decisive effort in the 93rd minute, after Telasco Segovia had canceled out Raphinha’s opener shortly after the break.
But when the Barcelona winger launched a cross in stoppage time, the sprinklers went on on the other side of the field that Brazil was attacking at the Estadio Monumental de Maturín.
Its activation caused the referee to stop proceedings and end the Selecao’s momentum in the final minutes of the match.
Brazil’s players and coaches expressed their anger to the referee and fourth official, while stars such as Chelsea youngster Estevao Willian could be seen trying to stop the flow of water coming off the pitch.
“Minute 93, 1-1 in a World Cup qualifier,” wrote Spanish soccer journalist Tom Sanderson in X. “Brazil is about to attack again and Venezuela activated the water sprinklers. South American hospitality of the highest level.
Chelsea youngster Estevao Willian could be seen trying to stop the flow of water from shooting out.
Vinicius Jr’s problems with the national team continued and he wasted a series of opportunities
The visitors were unable to find the elusive goal that would have put them within four points of bitter rival Argentina in the CONMEBOL standings despite playing the final minutes against 10 men after Alexander González was sent off in the 89th minute.
The Dorival Junior team occupies fourth place in the standings, where six of the 12 teams advance to the 2026 Pan American tournament, while the team that finishes seventh will compete in an intercontinental playoff.
Brazil’s position has improved markedly, having beaten the bottom two teams, Chile and Peru, in their last two matches before Thursday. They could have easily made it three straight wins, but Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr wasted a number of opportunities, including a 62nd-minute penalty.
The five-time world champions host Uruguay on Wednesday at the Fonte Nova Arena, without victories in their last five games.
