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regular-article-logo Wednesday, 04 December 2024

Eduard Bello's stunner helps Venezuela hold Brazil, Argentina beat Paraguay

Draw sees Brazil fall to second in the standings after Argentina’s victory in Buenos Aires, where the hosts earned the narrow win thanks to an early stunner by Nicolas Otamendi

Reuters Cuiaba (Brazil) Published 14.10.23, 09:28 AM
Argentina’s goal-scorer Nicolas Otamendi (left) gets a hug from Cristian Romero on Thursday.

Argentina’s goal-scorer Nicolas Otamendi (left) gets a hug from Cristian Romero on Thursday. Getty Images

A stunning overhead kick by Eduard Bello helped Venezuela hold Brazil to a 1-1 draw in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Thursday, while Argentina moved top of the Conmebol standings after beating Paraguay 1-0 to maintain their 100 per cent record.

After a goalless first half in Cuiaba, defender Gabriel Magalhaes opened the scoring in the 50th minute, meeting Neymar's corner with a bullet header for his first international goal.

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Brazil had chances to extend their lead, with Vinicius Jr having a goal disallowed for offside in the 71st minute.

And the hosts were made to rue their profligacy when Bello leapt into the air and fired home Jefferson Savarino's cross in the 85th minute.

The draw sees Brazil fall to second in the standings after Argentina's victory in Buenos Aires, where the hosts earned the narrow win thanks to an early stunner by Nicolas Otamendi.

The 35-year-old central defender had scored just four goals in over 100 previous appearances for Argentina but showed great skill to put the world champions ahead after just three minutes with a sensational volley from a corner.

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