Brazil v Venezuela Live Commentary & Result, 21/06/2015, Copa America

FULL TIME! Brazil go through as winners of Copa America's Group C, after a 2-1 win over Venezuela! Goals from Thiago Silva and Roberto Firmino were enough for the Selecao, with Miku causing a few nerves late on with a close-range header. That means that Dunga's side top the group and will play Paraguay, while the Vinotinto are heading home. That's all that we have time for from Santiago, I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again next time.

Gonzalez tries to counter quickly, but the substitute is penalised for using his hand to control the ball. Brazil clip forward a searching free kick as a result, but Miranda's ball forward is too heavy for Filipe Luis and Venezuela have a goal kick. Moments later, Miku is given a great chance at the back post, but can't stretch enough to nod home a close-range header!

We're into the first of four minutes of stoppage time in Santiago.

Alves takes aim from 30 yards out, with the right-back hoping to catch Baroja unaware. The ball, however, has other ideas and skids off the surface and wide of the left-hand upright.

Only a few minutes of time are available for a Venezuelan comeback. Tunez picks up a yellow card for a late, lunging tackle on Alves, but the Brazil right-back rolls about as though he's been shot. The resulting free kick allows for the Selecao to take some of the sting out of the game, however.

A. Túñez

Yellow Card

Yellow card Andrés José Túñez Arceo

Suddenly, it's rather nervy for Brazil! A draw would see the Selecao still progress, but take up a worse place in the Group C table. Venezuela are desperately pushing men forward, with a goal all that the Vinotinto need to secure a place in the quarter finals. A corner delivery from the left is well caught by Jefferson.

N. Fedor

Goal

GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! MIKU MAKES IT 2-1! Arango manages to turn the resulting free kick onto the post, with some help from Jefferson! The substitute reacts quickest, stooping low to nod a diving header into the back of the net! The crowd respond, they believes it can be done!

Thiago Silva sees yellow for a scrappy tackle on Miku, putting a blemish in an otherwise impressive copybook for the PSG man. It looked to be innocuous, but the Brazilian's boot was raised.

Thiago Silva

Yellow Card

Yellow card Thiago Emiliano da Silva

Tunez is in the right place at the right time to deny Tardelli, after good work down the right-hand side from Fernandinho. Willian whips in the resulting corner, which Luiz tries to meet, but can't! Brazil immediately hook a second delivery back into the mix, but an overhead kick attempt from the former Chelsea central defender is saved well by Baroja!

Alves tries his luck with a cross-cum-shot from the right flank, but Baroja manages to make a timely catch with Fernandinho looking to capitalise on any error. Brazil only have to see out the remaining 10 minutes in Santiago, with this result looking to be wrapped up already.

Gonzalez lashes over! Miku picks out the substitute, who fires a powerful effort just over Jefferson's crossbar! The goalkeeper was slightly worried, though. Brazil are now playing with a back three, with Luiz now venturing too far from his defensive lines.

Miranda does well to outmuscle Martinez, with Luiz able to polish off the scraps. The Brazil captain then manages to win a free kick for his side after being brought down on the left-hand side. Robinho is now replaced by Marquinhos, with Dunga really shutting up shop.

Marquinhos

Robinho

Substitution Róbson de Souza Marcos Aoás Corrêa

Vizcarrondo throws himself at a free-kick delivery which is whipped in from the right-hand side, but the defender is incorrectly flagged offside. Not that it mattered, however, as the Venezuela man only managed to poke a tame effort straight at the figure of Jefferson.

Gonzalez sees a shot charged down! The substitute was picked out in a small pocket of space in the box, before shifting the ball onto his right foot. The Venezuela forward beat Luiz, but Thiago Silva was on hand to make a brilliant block in front of his goalkeeper.

N. Fedor

A. Guerra

Substitution Alejandro Abraham Guerra Morales Nicolás Ladislao Fedor Flores

David Luiz is being asked to sit in midfield with Elias and Fernandinho, with Dunga switching to a 4-3-3, it appears. Willian and Tardelli have the freedom to roam, with Fernandinho also now able to play a slightly more box-to-box role.

Tardelli and Luiz are both introduced for the Selecao, with Dunga opting to freshen things up for the final 20 minutes in Santiago. Brazil are looking confident and composed, with Venezuela probably already facing up to the fact that they will be crashing out of Group C.

David Luiz

Roberto Firmino

Substitution Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira David Luiz Moreira Marinho

Diego Tardelli

Philippe Coutinho

Substitution Philippe Coutinho Correia Diego Tardelli Martins

Jefferson is on hand to palm a through ball away from Martinez, with the substitute causing a few problems in behind with his pace. The Botafogo goalkeeper had to be brave there, throwing himself in front of both an opponent and a teammate.

The tempo of this game is slowing somewhat, especially when the Selecao get on the ball. The favourites are happy to be extremely patient in possession. Alves is picked out on the right, before guiding in a cross, but Baroja rises well to claim ahead of the lurking presence of Firmino. Robinho then musters up a long-range effort, but it bounces wide of the far post.

Rondon just hasn't been able to receive any service into his feet or onto his head, with Venezuela running out of ideas whenever they enter the final third. Arango tries to hang a cross in towards the back post, but Alves is able to control and clear under no pressure.

Martinez manages to wriggle free inside the Brazil penalty area, but can only muster up a weak strike that Jefferson catches with ease. Guerra then tries to drive through the Selecao midfield, but Fernandinho slides in brilliantly to rob the wide man of the ball. Dunga's side are looking rather comfortable at the moment.

Gonzalez tries to whip a cross in from the left-hand side, but Jefferson is alert to the danger and punches well clear. Moments later, the same man tries to pick out Rondon from the same flank, but he sends the ball swirling directly out of play for a goal kick. Awful stuff.

Robinho shoots straight at Baroja! The former Real Madrid striker could have picked out Willian in space on the left, but instead opted to be selfish. His decision results in a very easy save for the goalkeeper, who merely has to stoop down to gather the ball up.

Venezuela win themselves a free kick just within shooting distance, with this perfect territory for Arango. The experienced midfielder sends a dipping shot goalwards, but Jefferson doesn't trust its flight and pushes it over the crossbar for a corner. The Botafogo goalkeeper had to make sure.

Well, that has thrown a bit of a spanner in the works for Venezuela! The underdogs started the second half brightly, but a bit of creativity and pace from Willian has left them in a terrible position. The Chelsea man nearly picks out Robinho in the box moments later, but Rosales steps out to make a good interception.

Willian

Assist

Assist Willian Borges Da Silva

Roberto Firmino

Goal

GOOOOOOOOOAL! FIRMINO MAKES IT 2-0! Willian dances around Rosales, before nipping his way to the byline and pulling back a great cross! The Hoffenheim forward is present six yards out to poke home an easy finish! Brazil look like Group C winners now!

Brilliant save from Baroja! Thiago Silva rises highest to meet a corner delivery, before pummelling a header low down to the goalkeeper's left! The Venezuela goalkeeper shows terrific reflexes to stoop low and hook a brilliant save away from his goal line! The Brazil defender has his head in his hands, how did that stay out?

A Venezuelan free kick is well cleared, with the Vinotinto looking to break forward in numbers now! Gonzalez races down the left, before trying to cut inside Alves, but the Barca right-back stands up well to make a vital tackle.

Wide from Coutinho! After losing control of the ball after going on a mazy run, the Liverpool midfielder is picked out in space in the penalty area. He tries to lash a right-footed effort into the back of the net, but it violently curves wide of the far post.

We are back underway in the second half! Brazil are 1-0 up and merely have to see this game out in order to move top of Group C, while Venezuela are currently heading out of the Copa America - unless they can improve their current result. A draw would be enough for the Vinotinto.

J. Martínez

L. Seijas

Substitution Luis Manuel Seijas Gunther Josef Alexander Martínez

César González

R. Vargas

Substitution Ronald Alejandro Vargas Aranguren César Eduardo González Amáis

HALF TIME! The referee calls time on the first half, with Brazil heading into the break with a 1-0 lead over Venezuela. Thiago Silva grabbed the vital goal, with Dunga's men solid if not spectacular in the opening 45 minutes. As it stands in Group C, the Selecao would head through in top spot, with the Vinotinto crashing out of the tournament. Be sure to stick around for all of the second-half action!

L. Seijas

Yellow Card

Yellow card Luis Manuel Seijas Gunther

There is one minute of first-half stoppage time in Santiago.

R. Vargas

Yellow Card

Yellow card Ronald Alejandro Vargas Aranguren

Just wide from Cichero! The left-back clips a cross to the back post, losing his balance in the process! The ball sails over Jefferson and also just wide of the upright! The Brazil goalkeeper isn't inspiring a great deal of confidence for his back four. That was very close to restoring parity in a fairly freakish manner.

The first half is coming to a close, with Venezuela still only tentatively looking for an equaliser. This game is rather tense, as the Vinotinto dare not push forward too much, or they would risk being caught out and conceding a goal which would likely see them crash out of the Copa America. Brazil are happy to keep trading meaningless blows.

Brazil are picking their moments to get forward, with Robinho looking very calm and composed in possession whenever the Selecao look to be responsible with their counter attacks. Seijas tries to pick out Rosales on the right-hand side, but an awful touch from the full-back gifts the ball straight back to the Selecao.

Robinho drifts inside from the left-hand side, before passing out wide to Willian! The Chelsea forward manages to earn enough space from his man to shoot, but can only force Baroja to push a near-post effort behind for a corner! The set piece is lashed wide of the target by Miranda.

Brazil win themselves another corner, from which they have been dangerous, but Willian's curling delivery results in Venezuela being awarded a free kick. Only 10 minutes remain in the first half in Santiago, with the tempo of this contest going just a little bit flat. While only a goal remains in it, however, there's still a chance of both of these nations heading into the quarter finals.

Venezuela's resurgence has gone off the boil and back down to a simmer, with Brazil able to take some control in the game with some slow possession. The Selecao are probably looking to get to the interval without conceding, rather than prioritising another goal. Firmino breaks to the left byline, however, before being stopped by a great tackle from Tunez.

As we pass the half-hour mark, entertainment isn't exactly at a premium. Elias tries to slide a through ball into the path of Coutinho, but the former Inter midfielder is caught a few yards offside. Brazil are simply doing what they need to do at the moment, but they certainly aren't going about the task at hand in any particular style.

Venezuela manage to win themselves a free kick around 35 yards from goal, which Rosales stands over menacingly. The right-back's delivery is flicked on by Tunez, but Jefferson is able to gather up the loose ball! The underdogs appeared to have worked on that set piece on the training ground, but it didn't come off at all.

Cichero clips a cross into the Brazilian penalty area, but Thiago Silva responds first to head clear. Even though he isn't wearing the armband tonight, the PSG man is leading by example in the truest sense of the phrase. Moments earlier, Coutinho went down under a challenge from Vizcarrondo inside the box, but the referee wasn't interested in awarding a penalty.

Elias wins the ball back in the middle of midfield, but Brazil are no longer in a big rush to break forward. Coutinho and Willian attempt to combine down the left, but it doesn't quite come off. Not that the Selecao will mind, that is, as long as they're running down the clock it won't bother them one bit.

Chance for Brazil again! The resulting corner leads to pinball in the box, with Robinho and Thiago Silva both seeing close-range shots charged down! Moments later, Alves hangs a cross up into the penalty area, but Vizcarrondo rises well enough to beat Firmino in the air.

Coutinho hooks a cross-field ball over to Willian, but Cichero manages to stand up tall to the former Shakhtar man. Brazil retain possession, with Filipe Luis found on the left flank, but the Chelsea full-back's shot from the edge of the box is powerfully pushed behind by Baroja.

Rondon just hasn't been able to get hold of the ball, as of yet, with Miranda and Thiago Silva looking extremely motivated tonight. Brazil appear happy to let their opponents enjoy plenty of possession, but only because they know they can limit Venezuela to safe spaces on the field. Dunga would already snap your hand off for a 1-0 win, or maybe even a 1-1 draw.

Venezuela just aren't doing anything meaningful with the ball, with Brazil happy to restrict their crossing opportunities and keep their opponents in wide areas. Vargas takes on a 30-yard effort from a central area, but it arrows directly into the stands with Jefferson happy to allow the ball to rise over his crossbar.

Just over from Robinho! The Santos forward receives a pass from Alves on the right, before trying a first-time effort with a sweeping right-footed shot! It swirls just over the top-right corner of the net, with Baroja desperately stretching to cover his angles! So nearly a great goal from the Neymar replacement.

Cichero tries to clip a cross into the path of Arango, but Fernandinho manages to make a timely block just inside his own penalty area. Venezuela then try to break down the right, with the underdogs continuing to show some kind of resurgence after going behind to that Thiago Silva strike.

Venezuela shouldn't be disheartened, as the Vinotinto can still head through at the expense of Colombia with a draw here tonight. Guerra is looking bright early on, but Rondon is yet to have any joy against Miranda and Thiago Silva. Dunga's side look in good shape and certainly aren't licking their wounds after Neymar's suspension.

Guerra and Rondon nearly combine well on the edge of the box, but the ball is switched out to Morales on the right. The full-back beats one man, before being halted well by Brazil captain Miranda. Venezuela suddenly look alive, with the opening goal seemingly waking them from their slumber. The Selecao are heading through as it stands.

Thiago Silva

Goal

GOOOOOOOAL! THIAGO SILVA GIVES BRAZIL THE LEAD! The PSG defender slams a corner delivery into the top left-hand corner, beating the goalkeeper all ends up! It zips under the crossbar, with the former captain pointing in the direction of Neymar during his celebrations! That was a sweet strike indeed.

Robinho

Assist

Assist Róbson de Souza

Elias switches play out to Alves on the right-hand side, but his cross is half cleared and then returned to him. His second delivery is much better, but Tunez is on hand to head away at his own near post. Brazil are dominating the early stages. Robinho and Coutinho combine on the right flank, but a shot from the latter is blocked well by Tunez.

Brazil combine well down the right-hand side, but a flick in the direction of Firmino from Robinho is intercepted. Alves is penalised for a cynical push on Rincon, though the Barca wing-back doesn't believe that he made enough contact for the Venezuela midfielder to go down. Cichero meets the resulting free-kick delivery with his head, but can only guide the ball high and wide of the target.

Robinho is pulled up for tugging on his opponent's shirt, as Brazil force a couple of nervy passes out of the Venezuelan defence early on. Alves is then left in a heap by Guerra, despite there not appearing to be a huge amount of contact, with the Selecao looking to retain possession immediately.

We are underway in Santiago! Brazil are dressed in their customary yellow and blue, while Venezuela are also able to don their first-choice strip of maroon and yellow. It's all still to play for in Group C, that's for sure! Either side could see themselves pass into the quarter finals tonight.

Both sets of players are out on the field of play and after the national anthems we will be able to get started in the final group game of the 2015 Copa America! There's a lot of support for Brazil, but it remains to be seen as to how the Selecao can cope without their star forward and captain Neymar.

Venezuela substitutes: Angel, Fedor, Gonzalez, Hernandez, Lucena, Martinez, Acosta, Perozo, Rivas, Murillo, Farinez.

Venezuela starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Baroja; Rosales, Vizcarrondo, Tunez, Cichero; Rincon, Seijas; Vargas, Arango, Guerra; Rondon.

Brazil substitutes: David Luiz, Douglas Costa, Diego Tardelli, Neto, Marquinhos, Geferson, Fabinho, Fred, Everton Ribeiro, Casemiro, Marcelo Grohe.

Brazil starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Jefferson; Alves, Miranda, Thiago Silva, Filipe Luis; Elias, Fernandinho; Willian, Coutinho, Robinho; Firmino.

TEAM NEWS: Venezuela have opted to make no changes to the side which drew against Peru last time out, with the Vinotinto having a genuine shot at progressing with a draw or win here tonight. If they can match Dunga's side, that would dump Colombia out. Rondon is the main aerial threat for the underdogs, with Guerra, Arango and Vargas hoping to continue their fairly impressive Copa America form. Sanvicente's starting 11 certainly isn't lacking some teeth.

TEAM NEWS: Brazil are, of course, with Neymar after the Selecao captain was hit with a four-match suspension by Conmebol's disciplinary board. Robinho is the man chosen to replace him, with Philippe Coutinho also getting a start. Dunga opts to pass the captain's armband on to Atletico Madrid's Miranda, with World Cup leader Thiago Silva overlooked under the current national manager once again. Otherwise, there are no other changes for this vital clash.

I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you up to date with all of the action, as Brazil look to progress further in this competition without their captain and star forward Neymar. The Barcelona wide man is suspended and will be unable to play in this tournament, even if Dunga manages to mastermind a route through to the final in Santiago. This group remains incredibly interesting, with Venezuela even able to head through into the quarter finals should they manage to draw with the Selecao. Hopeful faces all around, at the moment!

Hello and welcome to live coverage of tonight's second helping of Copa America action, as Brazil and Venezuela battle it out for a place in the knockout stages of the tournament in Chile. Colombia and Peru have already slumped to a 0-0 draw in Group C, meaning that only the winner from this game can be certain of heading through. At the start of play, both Los Cafeteros and Gareca's side are on three points, while the two nations involved in this contest are still on merely three.

Brazil v Venezuela Live Commentary, 21/06/2015

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