Vinicius misses penalty as Brazil held in Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela: Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela with Vinicius Junior missing a penalty in their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier on Thursday.The points were shared after a superb Raphinha free-kick was cancelled out by a second half strike from Telasco Segovia. The result leaves the five-times World Cup winners in third place on 17 points -- the top six South American teams qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil had struggled for form early in their campaign but showed signs of their old swagger returning as they took the game to Venezuela at the Monumental Stadium. Vinicius Junior, fresh from a hat-trick for Real Madrid in La Liga on Saturday, was at the heart of much of Brazil´s attacking play and almost created an early opening.