Vini plays a lead role in Brazil's tragedy; World Champs fall in Paraguay

For the first time in history, Venezuela remained undefeated against Brazil at home! And even though the 1-1 draw still guarantees nothing to La Vinotinto, it will represent an enormous confidence boost for Fernando Batista's boys.

The eleventh luck was the charm for Venezuela! However, they could never salvage a draw if it weren't for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, who, in the 62nd minute, was first awarded a penalty and then missed it! Selecao had previously opened the scoring two minutes before the break, through unstoppable Raphinha's free-kick screamer, but also wasted several decent opportunities after Venezuela's 46th-minute leveller thanks to Telasco Segovia, who was subbed in seconds earlier!

Brazil are still safe in the qualifying zone, but their recent form is pretty worrying. They currently sit in third place but could fall one spot if Uruguay beat Colombia at home tonight. Still, Dorival Junior's team is five points ahead of the rivals "under the line," so this unexpected draw will be more of a blow for the Brazilians' confidence, than for their qualification hopes.

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Last night's duels in the South American FIFA World Cup qualifiers brought another historic night - this time in Paraguay, as the home team beat the reigning World Champions, Argentina, for the first time after 2009 - 2-1! La Albirroja's opening of the qualifiers was terrible, but ever since the Argentinian Gustavo Alfaro sat on their bench, Paraguay were "reborn," as was their chance to book a ticket for Canada, Mexico, and the USA.

After only eight points in six rounds, Alfaro's team won as many points in four games, beating both Brazil and Argentina and is now a legitimate qualification contender. Even though Lautaro Martinez broke their deadlock already after 11 minutes, the Paraguayans did not give up, netting a leveller only eight minutes later over Torino's Antonio Sanabria, who scored a genuine screamer with a bicycle kick!

That goal "gave wings" to the home team, which made a complete comeback two minutes after the break behind the defender Omar Alderete's header for 2-1! Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi wasted chances to level the score, and Paraguay noted an immensely important triumph. Despite a little crisis and only one victory in the last four matches, Argentina still convincingly top the table, and only a true miracle could prevent them from qualifying for the World Cup. In the remaining last night's South American qualifiers' clash, Ecuador crushed Bolivia 4-0.

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - CONMEBOL

Friday

Venezuela - Brazil 1-1 (0-1)

/Segovia 46 - Raphinha 43/

Paraguay - Argentina 2-1 (1-1)

/Sanabria 19, Alderete 47 - Martinez L. 11/

Ecuador - Bolivia 4-0 (2-0)

/Valencia 26 pen, Plata 28, 49, Minda 61/

Saturday

03.00: (2.45) Uruguay (3.15) Colombia (3.30)

04.30: (2.55) Peru (3.00) Chile (3.05)

***odds are subject to change***