Brazil and Venezuela open the world's oldest national team tournament

Hosts and reigning champions Brazil face Venezuela on Sunday in the opening game of the 2021 CONMEBOL Copa America.

The game between the ‘Seleçao’ and the ‘Vinotinto’ (red wine) will open the 47th edition of the oldest national team tournament in the world. The Group B game will be held at the Estadio Nacional Mané Garrincha in Brasilia, kicking off at 21:00h GMT.

If the South American World Cup qualifiers are any indication then Brazil, who have won all six of their games so far, are rightly considered favorites to win the CONMEBOL Copa America and retain their title on home soil.

They will face an improving Venezuela who have consistently provided a tough test in recent years, in search of a statement result against the fancied Brazilians.

– Details –

• Stadium: Mané Garrincha (Brasilia)
• Time: 18:00 local time – 21:00h GMT
• Referee: Esteban Ostojich

– Antecedentes –

• Brazil and Venezuela will meet for the ninth time at the CONMEBOL Copa America with the Brazilians yet to lose a game (6wins, 2 draw). However, despite a historic advtantage, in the most recent meeting the sides drew 0-0 with the game also held on Brazilian soil.
• Brasil lleva 20 partidos sin derrotas por CONMEBOL Copa América disputadas en su país (12V 8E). Su última derrota fue ante Perú, por 3-1, en la edición de 1975.
• The ‘Seleção’ have been unbeaten in the last 20 CONMEBOL Copa América games played in Brazil (12 wins, 8 draws). Their last home defeat in the competition was a 3-1 loss to Peru in 1975.
• Brazil will host it’s sixth CONMEBOL Copa América and they have won the last 5 of these. In total they have played 40 games as hosts (26 wins, 12 draws, 2 losses). Peru in 1975 and Paraguay in 1949 are the two sides to beat Brazil at home in the competition.
• Venezuela will take part in their 20th CONMEBOL Copa America. No country in the region has played in fewer editions of the continental championship.

Data: OPTA