There will be three minutes added on here at the end of this match.
89'
Taison enters the game and replaces Willian.
A second change for Brazil here, looking to run time off the clock, as Willian is replaced by Taison.
SUPER SAVE! Out of nothing, a chance for Rondon who rises superbly to get on the end of a cross and head towards goal, but Alisson reacts brilliantly to parry over the bar!
88'
The tempo has completely gone here as the ball becomes entrapped in the midfield third. The odd long ball is being played over the top, but there's been nothing of note for either set of attackers to feast on. This is fizzling out to a wet and anti-climactic finish in Merida.
86'
STAT: STAT: Venezuela are winless in their last 10 World Cup qualifiers (D3, L7) dating back to a 3-2 victory over Peru in September 2013.
85'
Y. Herrera gets yellow.
Tough one for Herrera as he can't hold up on his challenge on Fernandinho because of the wet surface, and he picks up a yellow card as a result.
84'
Y. Herrera enters the game and replaces A. Flores.
Venezuela's final change sees Yangel Herrera enter the fray, at the expense of Flores.
83'
Giuliano enters the game and replaces Philippe Coutinho.
The first Brazil change of the evening sees Giuliano replace Coutinho.
81'
PENALTY APPEALS DENIED! Martinez goes down in a heap following a coming together with Marquinhos, after trying to turn quickly inside the area, but the referee was positioned perfectly to make the call - and he made the right one.
79'
The lengthy stoppages has seen some muscles tense up a bit. It's been altogether sluggish since the restart, with both sides just trying to get back into rhythm - not an easy task given the poor pitch conditions.
Minute
Description
77'
STAT: Brazil have scored 15 goals in their last three trips to Venezuela for World Cup qualifiers (all victories), outscoring the Vinotinto 15-2.
75'
WE HAVE LOST POWER! The lights have switched off here! The scoreboard is still on, but the lights around the stadium are off. It's gone black here in Venezuela!
It's been 10 minutes and still no lights here as the rain continues to pour down. Still no word on when they might - or if they will, in fact - turn back on, We will keep you posted, though.
AND THEN THERE WAS LIGHT! We have power back inside the stadium and the players are back in uniform, ready to get going once again.
Venezuela resume the game...
73'
Paulinho gets yellow.
R. Otero enters the game and replaces A. Peñaranda.
Second change here for Venezuela as Romulo Otero replaces Penaranda.
The first Brazilian name to go into the referee's book tonight is Gabriel as he's issued a yellow card for a challenge on Martinez.
71'
OUCH! That looks a real painful one for Willian. Worrying moments here for Brazil and Chelsea as the winger goes flying through the advertisement board and sliding along the track beyond the pitch. He's clutching his back here, as the trainers quickly make their way over.
69'
HOW'S HE MISSED THAT?! Stunning delivery from Rondon to pick out Guerra at the far post, and the substitute takes it brilliantly, gliding past Luis. They do everything right, but the finish is missing once again as Guerra pokes an effort wide from close range!
67'
STAT: Brazil have not kept a clean sheet in successive away matches in this competition since 2008. They shutout Ecuador 3-0 in their most recent away match.
65'
OFFSIDE! Martinez with a terrific volley following a set-piece, but the flag is up again! Brazil are holding their line admirably tonight and Venezuela aren't being patient enough in timing their runs.
63'
END-TO-END ACTION! Brazil storm right back, three against two. Coutinho pulls it back for Gabriel who shoots first-time, but his effort is turned aside smartly by Hernandez!
62'
Another chance! A header this time for Rondon, which has Alisson at full-stretch at the far post, but the effort from the West Brom striker is just wide! Oh so close yet again!
61'
DEFLECTED JUST WIDE! Clever bit of interplay from Venezuela in the final third, which sees the ball come into the area for Rondon. It falls kindly for the striker who lashes an effort at goal. Marquinhos throws himself in front of it, with the deflection wrong-footing the keeper, but it drifts just wide!
60'
A. Guerra enters the game and replaces J. Añor.
Alejandro Guerra replaces Anor, the first change of the night for either side.
59'
Venezuela really need to go for broke. They have some very exciting talents in attack, but they're too hesitant to push forward. To put it blatantly, they have absolutely nothing to lose. They're not going to qualify and they're down 2-0 here - why not go for it?
57'
DISALLOWED! Brazil have their third from a corner, tucked away neatly at the far post after some dodgy marking from the hosts, but it's disallowed for offside!
55'
The rain seems to be getting worse and worse here. It's really making it difficult for these teams to pass the ball freely in possession, but it's helping these defenders fly into challenges.
53'
Willian has scored a goal for Brazil! Assist by Renato Augusto.
AND THERE'S THE SECOND! That should settle it! Renato flashes a ball across the face of goal and Feltscher completely ignores the run of Willian, who smashes in a splendid finish with a first-time strike!
Renato with a delightful assist.
52'
STAT: Venezuela are winless in their last five meetings with Brazil since a 2-0 triumph in a friendly in June 2008 in neutral territory.
50'
Nearly a second for Gabriel! He delays his run smartly to get into a pocket of space just inside the area and on the end of a pull-back from Luis, but his first-time effort drifts just beyond the near post.
48'
The rain continues to pour down here in Venezuela. It's been a wet day in Merida and it's showing no signs of stopping. The field conditions are deteriorating rather quickly now, and at one point or another player safety has to become a concern.
46'
It took a while but the second half is back underway.
45'
There will be one minute added on at the end of this first half.
43'
STAT: Brazil won their last trip to Venezuela for a World Cup qualifier, with Robinho scoring twice and Kaka and Adriano also finding the back of the net in a resounding 4-0 victory.
41'
He's done well here! Tremendous running from Penarana as he goes half the length of the pitch to get behind the defence on the left, before cutting inside upon arriving in the area. He has team-mates waiting in the centre, but only had eyes for goal, forcing a shot towards the near post which deflects behind disappointingly for a corner.
39'
W. Ángel gets yellow.
Well look at that! There's a yellow card produced after all for Angel. That was a long delay between foul and booking, and it's got some of these Venezuela players rather frustrated as a result.
38'
Dangerous one for Angel! He finds himself in a footrace with Gabriel as a ball is played behind the defence, one he's never favoured to win. The centre-half sticks an arm out to shield the path of the striker, who goes to ground rather theatrically. It's a free-kick, but no booking for the defender.
36'
Not quite! Another bout of pinball in the Venezuela area has their defence at sixes and sevens, before the ball falls kindly for Coutinho. The Liverpool attacker has both time and space for a shot, but opts to take a half-volley first-time and bounces an effort a few yards wide of the near post.
34'
Brazil have not got the likes of Luis or Alves forward much. A lot of their possession has come in the central areas, as they continue to lack real width and options on the flank. It's all become a bit congested as a result.
32'
Wrong side of the post! Another Venezuela error, this one committed by Angel, gives Brazil the opportunity to break two against one. Paulinho and Gabriel exchange passes, with the former cutting inside to have a shot, but his effort creeps beyond the near stick, grazing the side netting.
30'
Renato is goal hungry tonight, as evidenced by yet another strike from distance. He's keen to get one of these beyond Hernandez, but it's not happening this time around as a deflection takes it high into the air and behind for a corner.
28'
STAT: Brazil can win a fourth successive World Cup qualifying match tonight, a feat they only managed one other time since the turn of the century.
26'
J. Velázquez gets yellow.
Velazquez picks up a yellow card - he will be walking a tight line for the rest of the match. The centre-half is only in there because Vizcarrondo is suspended for picking up two yellows (and a subsequent red) in the defeat to Uruguay on Thursday.
23'
VITAL TOUCH! That's a stellar piece of defending from Rosales! He reaches back at full-stretch to get just the slightest of touches on a cross in from the right that looked to set up Gabriel for the simplest of tap-ins.
21'
There's not a great tempo to this match, more so periods of quiet mixed between quick, energetic attacks. Both sides are getting most of their opportunities through mistakes from the other team, which isn't any great surprise considering it's how we got here.
19'
Gabriel sure looks like a special talent. Every time he touches the ball something seems to come of it. Manchester City should be counting down the days until he comes over in January.
17'
STAT: Venezuela have now gone 15 successive matches in this competition without keeping a clean sheet.
15'
Venezuela have turned on the style since falling behind. getting after this Brazil defence. Another strong bit of play sees them win a free-kick in a threatening area, but Brazil deal with it and break quickly. Gabriel sprints forward and tees up Coutinho, but the Liverpool man sends a shot straight at Hernandez.
13'
Important clearance! Acrobatic defending from Mirando to head behind a Feltscher cross intended for Martinez, following a well-worked move from the hosts. Perhaps a bit of encouragement will come from that, though the ensuing corner comes to nothing.
11'
Venezuela could not have imagined much worse a start to their qualifying campaign, and now to this match. They've been dominated by Brazil in recent history, and with both team's recent form trending in opposite directions, it was so important for them to have a good start - but that has not happened here.
9'
Well that might have been a gift from the keeper, but it's a composed finish nonetheless from the young striker, who has four goals in four senior appearances now.
8'
Gabriel Jesus has scored a goal for Brazil!
ABSOLUTELY DREADFUL! There's a reason Venezuela are bottom of the table, and that's it right there. An absolute gift from Hernandez, who has all the time in the world to pass out from the back, but rolls it straight into the path of Gabriel who coolly chips the embarrassed keeper to give Brazil the early lead.
7'
STAT: The last meeting between these two sides was a World Cup qualifier last October in Fortaleza. Brazil won 3-1 thanks to a Willian brace.
5'
Bit of pinball in the Venezuela end as a one-two goes awry for them, allowing Willian to pounce. He surges forward and tries to square for Gabriel. It looks like it's cut out, but another tricky bounce keeps the pressure on the hosts, only Coutinho can't quite react in time to take advantage.
3'
The first shot of the game is a long-range strike from Renato that doesn't pose much of a threat for Hernandez, though he does give up a juicy rebound - only no one was attacking it for Brazil. It may not be a bad idea to fire shots in from anywhere tonight given the inclement weather.
1'
AND WE'RE OFF! Brazil get us underway in the pouring rain here in Merida.
Hello and welcome to live coverage from the Estadio Metropolitano de Merida as Brazil aim to move top of the table when they take on a Venezuela side desperate for their first victory of the campaign.
Tite has brought the Samba style back to Brazil’s national team. They have hit their stride once again and remain well on course for a berth in Russia 2018.
The top of the South American qualifying group remains incredibly tight, but Brazil can vault themselves ahead of the pack with a victory tonight, following Uruguay’s draw with Colombia earlier today.
Venezuela need a telescope to view the top four teams, as they sit at the very bottom of the table with a meager two points from nine matches, following such an impressive showing in the Copa America Centenario.
A win today wouldn’t even pull them out of last place, as another World Cup is poised to come and go without the Vinotinto present.
Tite make two changes to the Brazil team following their 5-0 victory over Bolivia. Neymar misses out after being gashed open above the eye by Yasmani Duk on Thursday night, with Willian coming in to take his place. The other change sees Pauliho return to the team at the expense of Giuliano.
Four changes have been made to the Venezuela team, with Oswaldo Vizcarrondo suspended and Alex Gonzalez also unavailable. The duo are replaced in defence by Roberto Rosales and Jose Manuel Velazquez. Meanwhile, Arles Flores and Josef Martinez are also brought into the team at the expense of Arquimedes Figuera and Alejandro Guerra.
HALF-TIME: VENEZUELA 0-1 BRAZIL.
The visitors lead at the break thanks to another Gabriel Jesus goal, gifted to him by keeper Daniel Hernandez. It's been comfortable for Brazil for the most part, while Venezuela have another issue to worry about as both their centre-backs are on yellows.
That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
Goals from Gabriel and Willian on either side of half-time propel Tite's men to three points on a dark, rainy night in Merida. It came crashing to a halt as a lengthy power outage halted any Venezuela hopes of a comeback in their tracks, with Brazil able to comfortably see it through to the finish when the lights came back on.
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