Brazil edge past Venezuela into quarters without Neymar
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ByEurosport
Updated 22/06/2015 at 07:37 GMT
Copa America Group C, Estadion Monumental - Brazil 2 (Silva 9', Firmino 51') Venezuela 1 (Miku 85')
Brazil's Silva celebrates his goal next to teammate Firmino during their first round Copa America 2015 match.
Image credit: Reuters
Brazil were pushed all the way in their efforts to secure a Copa America quarter-final place, edging past Venezuela with an unconvincing and somewhat nervy 2-1 win.
With Colombia and Peru drawing earlier in the evening, a draw would have secured both Brazil and Venezuela’s passage into the tournament’s final eight - however, Dunga’s side claimed top spot in Group C with the victory - setting up a meeting with Paraguay.
Brazil came into their final group game of the Copa America without Neymar - who was handed a four-match suspension for his role in a post-match brawl in the midweek defeat to Colombia. Robinho was instead handed the starting place as the focal point of their attack.
Thiago Silva gave Brazil the lead with a thumping first-half finish before Roberto Firmino doubled their advantage following a close-range finish following good work down the left wing by Willian. Miku’s late goal gave Venezuela hope of a fightback, but the Selecao just about held on.
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Brazil's Roberto Firmino scores a goal past Venezuela's goalie Alain Baroja during their first round Copa America 2015 soccer match at Estadio Monumental David Arellano in Santiago, Chile, June 21, 2015
Image credit: Reuters
KEY EVENTS
10’ OPPORTUNITY: Good chance for Firmino. Robinho takes down a lovely cross-field pass with a lovely touch to set up the Hoffenheim man for the shot, but his effort is blocked by the foot of Tunez.
11’ GOAL! Brazil 1 Venezuela 0: What an emphatic opener! The corner kick came in from the right side and Thiago thumped it home on the volley, high into the net.
18’ NOT FAR AWAY AT ALL! Robinho catches a cross into the box first time on the volley, but his effort flashes just over the crossbar with the keeper worried. That would have been sensational.
24’ GOOD EFFORT! The ball works its way out to Luis on the left side of the box, who hit the cross on the volley. It was a really good effort but Baroja makes the excellent save at his near post.
44’ CONFUSION: Jefferson really wasn't sure where that was going. The cross comes in from the left side from Cichero, but he overhits it. But it, just for a moment, looks set to loop over the keeper, but it flashes wide. Wooft!
50’ WHAT A TERRIFIC SAVE! Silva wins the header, towering over everyone, from the corner kick, but Baroja was equal to it - diving low down to his left to make the stop at his near post.
53’ GOAL! Brazil 2 Venezuela 0: Brazil have doubled their advantage! William does brilliantly to turn his man and get to the byline before crossing for Firmino, who finishes into the gaping net.
56’ FREE-KICK EFFORT: That required the save from Jefferson! Arango's free-kick from about 25 yards looked to be heading over the bar, but it dipped at the very last second and the keeper had to tip over.
73’ IMPORTANT: I think it was Silva that made the block, and what an important one it was! Gonzalez took the ball down inside the box and shot at goal, but the defender stops it from reaching the target.
83’ WOOFT: That would have been one of the goals of the season. Luiz lets fly from about 25 yards out, unleashing a wicked shot. It's heading in but Boroja makes the save to tip it over the target.
85’ GOAL! Brazil 2 Venezuela 1: Venezuela have a way back into this match! Arango's freekick from the edge of the box was tipped on to the post by Jefferson, and Miku heads home the rebound.
94’ THAT WAS THE CHANCE! Arango gets to the byline and stabs a cross into the six-yard box. It looked like Miku was about to head it home but he wasn't quite tall enough! Incredible stuff.
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Venezuela's Miku (7) scores a goal past Brazil's goalie Jefferson (1) during their first round Copa America 2015 soccer match at Estadio Monumental David Arellano in Santiago, Chile, June 21, 2015
Image credit: Reuters
KEY STATS
Venezuela’s Copa America record after conceding the first goal of the match: 38 losses and 1 draw.
Brazil has not lost in the Copa America after scoring the opening goal of the match since 1979 (38 wins, eight draws).
TALKING POINT
Can Robinho perform the Neymar role for Brazil? The Selecao collapsed without Neymar in the side at last summer’s World Cup, and now they face a similar fate with the Barcelona poster-boy ruled out of the rest of the Copa America through suspension. Dunga used Robinho in the Neymar role for this match, and to a certain extent it worked. He might not be the player was meant to be as a teenager, but Robinho could still have a role to play for Brazil.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Willian (Brazil): Given the way he is asked to play for Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, it’s sometimes easy to forget just how much of a flair player Willian can be. But for Brazil the winger is given much more freedom to attack, and that’s what he did against Venezuela. Willian put on the second goal with some excellent wing play and was a threat throughout. Mourinho might have had some thoughts while watching this.
PLAYER RATINGS
Brazil: Jefferson 7, Alves 6, Miranda 5, Silva 7, Luis 6, Fernandinho 5, Elias 5, Willian 8, Coutinho 7, Firmino 7, Robinho 8. Subs: Luiz 5, Marquinhos 5, Tardelli 5.
Venezuela: Baroja 7, Rosales 5, Vizcarrondo 6, Tunez 5, Cichero 6, Rincon 5, Seijas 5, Guerra 5, Vargas 6, Rondon 5, Arango 7. Subs: Miku 7, Martinez 5, Gonzalez 7.
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