Sawt Falasteen - Vinicius misses penalty as Brazil held in Venezuela

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.

The winger broke free and was forced wide as he rounded home keeper Rafael Romo but he pulled the ball back to Raphinha in a promising central position only for the Barcelona forward's shot to go well off target.

Gerson then threatened with a chest down and volley from the edge of the box which flashed over the bar as the Selecao pushed for the opener.

Vinicius then hit the post from close range after good work from Savinho.

Romo was forced into a full stretch save to keep out a low drive from Gerson but, two minutes before the interval, Brazil finally broke through with Raphinha's bending free-kick flying in off in the inside of the far post.

Venezuela drew level within a minute of the break -- Segovia, just seconds after being brought off the bench, blasting in from the edge of the box after a smart lay off from Jefferson Savarino.

Vinicius then had a great chance to restore Brazil's advantage in the 62nd after he was brought down in the box by Romo, but the keeper made amends diving low to keep out the spot kick.

Brazil searched desperately for a winner but Venezuela's back-line held firm as the 'Vinotinto' picked up a potentially precious point.

Venezuela are in seventh place on 12 points and the seventh-place team will enter an Inter-confederation playoff for a spot in the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Later on Thursday, world champions Argentina, top of the CONMEBOL standings, face Paraguay and Ecuador host Bolivia.

L.AbuTayeh--SF-PST