World Football: Brazil Beaten 2-0 by Unsung Venezuela

Venezuela came up with two superb first-half goals to stun Brazil 2-0 in a friendly on Friday, their first win against the five-time world champions.  

Brazil had averaged more than four goals a game in winning all previous 17 meetings between the sides.

The loss also ended Brazil's 15-match unbeaten run, stretching just under a year. 

"We played badly," was all Brazilian coach Dunga had to comment.  

The win goes down as historic one for Venezuela, the only South American team to have never played in a World Cup. 

Their 17 straight defeats against Brazil have included one by 7-0, four by 6-0 and three by 5-0 with the goal tally 78-4 in Brazil's favour.  

The first goal came in the fifth minute, when Vargas slipped his marker and sent a long ball forward  for Maldonado, who beat the offside trap and chipped the ball over the advancing Doni.

Venezuela should have scored again in the 34th minute, but Juan Arango failed to connect properly at close range.  

Their lead increased the 44th minute, when Vargas collected the ball 30 yards from goal, wrong-footed Luisao with some clever dribbling and slotted the ball inside the near post.  

There were brilliant runs from Pato and Robinho with great individual skill from many players like Dani Alves, but the Brazilian team lacked any kind of unity and throughout the match only managed to put together four or five well worked plays.

Luck was also not on Brazil`s side, as a Diego bicycle hit the post and Adriano`s back-heel went inches wide.

Great credit must be given to the Venezuelan team, who defended well and scored two brilliant goals as Brazilian fans booed their own team and walked out before the end.

Dunga has his work cut out for him days before two difficult major World Cup qualifiers one involving the world`s current No. 1: Argentina.