October 13 – Eduard Bello’s overhead kick ensured Venezuela held five-time world champions Brazil to a 1-1 draw in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Argentina maintained their perfect record with a 1-0 win against Paraguay and moved top of the table.
At home in Cuiaba, the Brazilians had been expected to breeze past Venezuela, traditionally considered the whipping boys of the region, but a second-half strike by Bello cancelled out Gabriel Magalhaes’s 50th-minute goal. Vinicius Jr had a goal disallowed. Neymar had popcorn thrown at him after the final whistle as fans vented their frustration.
“I completely disapprove,” commented Brazil interim coach Fernando Diniz. “Cursing and booing is fine. Throwing a bag of popcorn doesn’t do anything for anyone. It’s disrespectful to those who came to play and tried to do the best they could.”
Following the draw, Brazil drop to second place in the table. They travel to Montevideo next to play Uruguay.
“We have to be prepared for all scenarios,” said Diniz. “The tendency, according to what the coach likes, is for Uruguay to be aggressive. It’s a prediction, but we don’t know what will happen in the game.”
World champions Argentina take over from Brazil at the top of the table after Nicolas Otamendi’s goal gifted them three points against Paraguay in Buenos Aires. Lionel Messi came on as a substitute in the 53rd minute. The Argentineans play Peru in Lima next week.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1735377153labto1735377153ofdlr1735377153owedi1735377153sni@i1735377153tnuk.1735377153ardni1735377153mas1735377153