SALVADOR, Brazil (AFP) – Brazil was held to a 0-0 draw against Venezuela in the Copa America on Tuesday as a late strike from Philippe Coutinho was disallowed after a controversial VAR decision.
Coutinho thought he had fired Brazil into the quarterfinals in the 87th minute when he bundled home a finish from Everton Soares’ driving run down the left wing at Salvador’s Arena Fonte Nova.
But for the second time in the match, Chilean referee Julio Bascunan ruled out the Brazilian goal after being alerted to an infringement by the video assistant referee.
The goal appeared to have been disallowed due to a touch by Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, although it was not clear that Firmino had been offside as the ball grazed him on the way into the net.
Brazil left the field to boos but remains top of Group A with four points from two games, and one game to play.
Venezuela has two points from two games and will fancy its chances of advancing with its final game coming against Bolivia, who suffered their second straight defeat earlier Tuesday in a 3-1 loss to Peru.
Brazil, who had made hard work of beating Bolivia in their opener, once again struggled to find a creative spark against well-organized opponents.
Firmino was kept quiet by Venezuela’s defense with Yordan Osorio and Mikel Villanueva neutralizing the Liverpool striker.
