Brazil player ratings vs Venezuela: Vinicius Jr’s nightmare goes on! Real Madrid star misses penalty as Selecao drop more World Cup qualifying points despite Raphinha rocket
The Ballon d'Or runner-up continues to struggle in the international arena as his missed spot-kick proved crucial on Thursday
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Vinicius Jr’s disappointing form in a Brazil shirt continued on Thursday as the Real Madrid winger endured another forgettable showing in the Selecao’s 1-1 draw with Venezuela in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
Brazil earned a point as Raphinha buried their only goal, but it was Vinicius’ struggles that will serve as the defining takeaway from the game, the Madrid man missing a penalty and failing to create in another disappointing showing.
Raphinha had a good chance early on, but blasted the ball over the bar from a Vinicius cutback. Gerson followed his attempt with a speculative effort that required a full-stretch stop from Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Romo. He was helpless for the Selecao opener, though, as Raphinha made up for his previous miss by curling a free-kick in off the post from 25 yards out.
Venezuela fended off pressure from the remainder of the half, and made the most of it early on in the second as Telasco Segovia bagged the equaliser, smashing home from the edge of the box.
Brazil might have retaken the lead on the hour mark, but Vinicius missed a penalty, and scuffed the rebound. Dorival Junior’s side had few other chances, as Venezuela were happy to see out the contest in scrappy fashion. Vinicius, by the end of it all, was throwing his arms around in frustration following another miserable international showing.
GOAL rates Brazil’s players from Estadio Monumental de Maturin…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (6/10):
Could do nothing about Segovia’s rocket, and made a couple of neat saves otherwise.
Vanderson (5/10):
His channel was exploited in the build-up to the equaliser, and he didn’t offer much going forward.
Marquinhos (5/10):
Really should have closed Segovia down more effectively, and struggled against Rondon at times.
Gabriel Magalhaes (6/10):
Won his headers, kept the ball moving, and can’t really be faulted for anything.
Abner Vinicius (6/10):
Covered well for Vinicius in front of him, and always seemed up for the fight.
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AFPMidfield
Gerson (7/10):
A mixed showing. Imposed himself on the game in central areas and won the ball, but didn’t move it quickly enough.
Bruno Guimaraes (6/10):
Always up for the defensive stuff, and flew into tackles with aplomb. Asking him to do much in creative terms is foolish, though.
Raphinha (8/10):
Should have put his side ahead early on, but blasted one over the bar. Made up for it with a wonderful free-kick, and was a constant menace on the break.
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AFPAttack
Savinho (5/10):
Did lots of pretty stuff on the ball, but was doubled up before he could have any real impact.
Igor Jesus (5/10):
Not a bad idea to have him there as a target man, but he made all of the wrong runs. Where is Endrick?!
Vinicius Jr (5/10):
Oh, Vini. Made some fantastic runs, created a couple of chances, but fell short in the big moments, missing a penalty and putting another off the post. Five goals in five years for his country simply isn’t good enough.
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Lucas Paqueta (5/10):
Tried to make things happen in the final third, but was barely on the ball.
Luis Henrique (5/10):
Not involved much in 20 underwhelming minutes.
Gabriel Martinelli (N/A):
Brought on to play in far deeper areas than he should, and was fairly anonymous as a result.
Estevao Willian (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Dorival Jr (4/10):
Picked a largely uninspiring XI, save for the attacking trio behind Jesus. And he got a predictably disappointing result. He can’t be blamed for Vinicius’ struggles, of course – but things aren’t great for the Selecao.
