The corner is delayed as Hernandez is stretchered off with an apparent leg injury that looks quite serious. Venezuela will seemingly have to finish the match with 10 men, all of whom will no doubt be defending. When the set-piece finally does arrive, it’s a poor effort which misses the target from Fernandinho.
90' +5
Brazil win a late corner as Rincon repels Everton’s cross with a forceful header. Venezuela only need to hang on for two more minutes, and they’ve earned a crucial point!
90' +3
The fourth official indicates an additional eight minutes of time added on, mostly as a result of the numerous VAR checks.
90' +1
A. Figuera gets yellow.
Figuera is shown a late yellow card for a tussle with Fernandinho in midfield.
89'
It’s still unclear as to what the issue was in regards to the goal being disallowed, but replays have centred around Firmino. It didn’t appear that he contacted the ball with his hand, and he seemed to be in an onside position - so the decision is a puzzling one.
85'
Josef Martínez enters the game and replaces S. Rondón.
Martinez is thrown into the match with 10 minutes remaining, replacing Rondon. It’s a change of strikers - perhaps Dudamel believes his side can knick a late winner.
78'
Arthur pushes it forward for Alves who is popping up all over the pitch, but the pass is hit slightly too long for the 36-year old Paris Saint-Germain full-back as it goes out of play for a goal-kick.
76'
A. Figuera enters the game and replaces D. Machís.
Figuera replaces Machis in Venezuela’s second alteration of the match.
74'
Coutinho takes a corner towards Fernandinho but it squeaks through to Firmino. It’s an awkward bounce for the striker who can only push it further to the left, where Venezuela defend compactly and get it away.
Minute
Description
72'
Everton enters the game and replaces David Neres.
It’s a final roll of the dice for Tite, who puts Everton into the match. Neres is the player to make way as he has been slightly off the pace today.
70'
Tite calls Everton up off the bench and instructs him to warm up, as it looks like Brazil will make their final change imminently. It’s a necessary switch as the Selecao have offered precious little since Jesus’ goal was ruled off.
68'
Arthur decides to have a crack from well outside the penalty area, but his shot rises over the crossbar and out for a goal-kick as another Brazil attack breaks down.
66'
Y. Soteldo enters the game and replaces Y. Herrera.
Venezuela’s first change of the evening is in midfield as Herrera makes way for Santos’ Soteldo.
62'
Two Brazil goals have been chalked off as they desperately search for one that will stand, more than an hour into the match. The hosts have seen over 70% possession and had 12 shots, but Firmino and company have only forced Farinez into one save. Tite only has one substitute remaining, and he’ll have to use it wisely.
58'
Coutinho gets to the corner of the penalty area but losses possession - which allows Jesus to pick it up. He hits a low, curling effort to the far post but it goes just wide of Farinez's goal.
57'
Fernandinho enters the game and replaces Casemiro.
Tite's second switch is somewhat surprisingly in midfield. The booked Casemiro will make way for Fernandinho, who started the opening match of the tournament.
56'
Marquinhos tries a ball over the top for Jesus, but it sails high over the head of the forward and goes out for a disappointing goal-kick.
54'
The fans continue to voice their frustrations are Brazil are forced to defend an ultimately toothless Venezuela attack. The second half has continued much in the same vein as the first, with Brazil constantly around the opposing penalty area, but unable to penetrate.
52'
Should this result hold, Brazil will be first but in a tie with Peru, while Venezuela will sit in third - two points behind. With the best two third-placed teams also advancing, La Vinotinto would still able to reach the knock-out stages, even if they were to fail in surpassing Brazil and/or Peru.
50'
Coutinho goes down under the weight of a challenge just outside the left corner of the penalty area, but the delivery from the set-piece is poor - failing to find the head of Silva.
48'
Tite wastes no time, making an attacking change at the half in hopes that it will lead to a goal. Jesus looks to be a direct replacement for Richarlison, taking his place on the right but he’s equally adept at attacking through the middle.
46'
Gabriel Jesus enters the game and replaces Richarlison.
A change at the interval for Brazil sees Richarlison withdrawn for Jesus.
Venezuela get the match restarted from the kick-off!
45' +1
HALF-TIME: BRAZIL 0-0 VENEZUELA.
45'
The fourth official indicates one additional minute of added time for stoppages.
43'
Venezuela have a chance to score but Alisson comes to the rescue! Murillo looks to hit on the counter-attack after collecting a knock-down from Rondon, and gets into a position to cross - beating Filipe Luis for pace. It’s a low delivery, but hit too far in front of Rondon, as the goalkeeper slides to collect.
41'
Casemiro gets yellow.
After a lengthy build-up for Brazil around the Venezuela penalty area, Casemiro jumps onto a loose ball and attempts to turn it in with a volley, but he catches the foot of Rincon, who had similar intentions defensively. It’s a free-kick which allows Venezuela to clear their lines, while Casemiro gets a yellow card for dissent in the process.
37'
J. Murillo gets yellow.
Murillo sprints forward and beats Filipe Luis on the right, forcing Silva to come across to defend. The centre-back’s slide tackle gets the ball first, but the foot of Murillo stamps on the Brazil defender’s foot in the process. It’s a yellow card for the Venezuela winger.
35'
Tite is pleading with Richarlison on the touchline as the Everton forward has some words with Rincon following a challenge in midfield. The Venezuela captain wisely backs away, but the point remains; Brazil are getting frustrated.
33'
Brazil’s first half hour against Venezuela has closely resembled their opening 45 minutes of the tournament against Bolivia, where they dominated proceedings but were unable to score. Like on Friday, the crowd at the Arena Fonte Nova is starting to get restless as their side continues to labour.
31'
It’s some distance out, but Alves is more than capable of scoring from that distance - though it doesn’t come to fruition this time as the captain catches the leg of a Venezuela defender. It’s hit low and with power, but the is up to standard.
29'
Villanueva catches Coutinho and gives Brazil a free-kick in a promising location, in a central position outside the penalty area.
27'
Filipe Luis delivers a good cross to Coutinho who is unmarked just inside the penalty area, but the Barcelona forward misses catching the ball properly as it continues on its trajectory outside of the penalty area.
25'
Moreno has another attempt at a corner, but it’s another poor delivery as Filipe Luis easily gets to it first to head it away with momentum. Venezuela should be looking to capitalise on set-pieces, but it hasn’t worked quite yet.
21'
Moreno swings a corner into the penalty area looking for Herrera at the near post, but the delivery was never suited for a proper flick-on. Brazil get the corner clear easily and once again get forward into the opponent’s half.
13'
Venezuela look happy to sit deep and absorb pressure, hitting on the counter-attack down the wings before sending crosses into the physical Rondon. It’s a tactic primarily based on keeping the match level for as long as possible - which the visitors have done successfully for the opening 15 minutes or so.
11'
Coutinho’s corner is taken to the edge of the penalty area for an Alves volley, but the plan is read the entire way. Venezuela’s counter-attack goes begging despite the space available as Alisson comes to grab the cross.
9'
Alves dances away from Machis and puts in a lovely right-foot cross, but Firmino’s header is disrupted by Villanueva; with the centre-back taking the last touch, giving Brazil a corner.
8'
Casemiro shifts the ball to his left from a perfect position atop of the penalty area, and Neres’ ensuing low cross for Richarlison is blocked by the strong foot of Osorio. Brazil are knocking on the door, but have not been able to finish one of their threatening moves.
6'
Venezuela are slowly starting to come into the match after a bright Brazil start, but Osorio’s long-distance shot is easily blocked by Casemiro, though the visitors gather the ball and hold onto possession again through Rincon.
4'
Casemiro mistimes a challenge in midfield on Herrera, giving Venezuela a free-kick deep in midfield. It’s taken long to Rondon, but Silva is more than equal to the task as it’s headed weakly towards Alisson.
3'
Marquinhos sprays a lovely ball forward to Neres, whose back-post cross to Silva in the aftermath of a poorly defended Brazil corner is put just out of reach for the sliding centre-back.
1'
Brazil get the match underway from the kick-off!
Brazil started their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Bolivia in Sao Paolo, though the result may paint a favourable picture of the hosts, as they looked very poor in the first half of their opener. They now travel to Salvador where they look to qualify for the knock-out stages and continue an 11-match unbeaten run against Venezuela. The absence of Neymar through injury hasn’t appeared to cause Tite any problems as he has overseen two victories in two matches since the mercurial forward went out injured - scoring 10 goals in the process.
Good evening and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Copa America Group A fixture between Brazil and Venezuela!
Venezuela’s first match was a lacklustre 0-0 against group-mates Peru, though coach Rafael Dudamel should be relatively pleased with the point, seeing as La Vinotinto were forced to finish the match with 10 men after left-back Luis Mago was shown a second yellow card with 15 minutes remaining. A win against the hosts would go a very long way in helping Venezuela’s hopes of qualification, though historical precedent is unkind; they haven't managed three points against the Selecao in the six matches since a 2-0 victory in 2008.
BRAZIL XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Dani Alves, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Filipe Luis; Casemiro, Arthur; Richarlison, Philippe Coutinho, David Neres; Roberto Firmino.
With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, it’s a perfect time to look at how the two sides will be lining up! Let’s start with Brazil!
VENEZUELA SUBS: Luis Manuel Seijas, Jefferson Savarino, Arquimedes Figuera, Rolf Feltscher, Joel Graterol, Yeferson Soteldo, Rafael Romo, Josef Martinez, Juanpi, Jhon Chancellor, Fernando Aristeguita.
VENEZUELA XI (4-1-4-1): Wuilker Farinez; Roberto Rosales, Yordan Osorio, Mikel Villanueva, Ronald Hernandez; Junior Moreno; Darwin Machis, Yangel Herrera, Tomas Rincon, Jhon Murillo; Salomon Rondon.
BRAZIL SUBS: Miranda, Fernandinho, Willian, Alex Sandro, Eder Militao, Allan, Cassio, Lucas Paqueta, Everton, Gabriel Jesus, Fagner, Ederson,
A quick reminder of the standings: Peru sit atop Group A with four points after two matches. Brazil follow with three points after one match played, while their opponents Venezuela are in third - also having played once. Bolivia round out the quartet with no points after their first two fixtures.
The two sides enter the interval at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador level at 0-0 after a dominant display from the hosts fails to produce a goal. It’s the hosts second-consecutive goalless first half in the tournament, but they’ve done everything they can to avoid that record. Despite six shots, a shade over 75% possession, and some really enterprising attacking football, they have yet to penetrate Venezuela’s defensive shape. Dudamel should be quite happy with his side’s performance in the first 45 minutes, as Rondon has had multiple occasions to snatch an opening goal. A draw would be a good result for the visitors, though the full three points are there for the taking.
Until the first goal is scored, Tite is unlikely to use his changes for anything other than attack. With a wide array of options on the bench, Brazil can change tactics and attacking angles at will. Jesus is a proven striker despite his age, while Milan’s Paqueta and Gremio’s Everton are more than capable of providing either a goal or an assist. Dudamel will continue to urge his side to defend first and hit on the counter - though that would have to change should the hosts jump ahead.
That concludes our coverage of the Copa America Group A fixture between Brazil and Venezuela! We hope you enjoyed it!
Brazil’s last group-stage fixture is against Peru on June 22, when Venezuela will also be hosting Bolivia.
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