Neymar left salty after being hit on the head by POPCORN thrown by an angry fan as Brazil are held to shock draw by Venezuela in World Cup qualifier
- Brazil dropped two points in World Cup qualifying after Venezuela earned draw
- Neymar set up their goal but was targeted by frustrated fans after the match
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Neymar was left enraged after being struck on the head by a pack of popcorn thrown by a frustrated fan following Brazil’s shock World Cup qualifying draw with Venezuela.
Brazil were on course to make it three wins from three on the road to the 2026 tournament in North America but were forced to settle for just a point after Eduard Bello’s spectacular overhead kick.
It meant Brazil slipped behind arch-rivals Argentina in the early standings and the home support at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba were less than impressed.
Whistles and jeers could be heard as the players left the field, with Al-Hilal forward Neymar then hit by a well-aimed tub of popcorn thrown by a fan.
Neymar was about to enter the tunnel but stopped and gazed up into the stands to try and find the culprit.
Neymar was left enraged after being stuck on the head by a packet of popcorn thrown from the stands after Brazil were held to a shock 1-1 draw by Venezuela in World Cup qualifying
The Al-Hilal star launched a verbal volley at the culprit after being hit by the food
Neymae didn’t want to let the matter drop and had to be dragged down the tunnel
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As his team-mates try to usher him back to the dressing rooms, Neymar shouts at someone in the stands before returning from the tunnel to issue another verbal volley while pointing an accusing finger.
Eventually he is grabbed by the front of his shirt and dragged away before tempers flare even further.
That followed a bust-up involving Neymar and former Newcastle, West Brom and Everton forward Salomon Rondon.
It followed a rash challenge by Bello on Gerson which proved to be the last act of the match and sparked a melee with several players from both sides involved.
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus was also annoyed by Rondon’s actions.
Neymar, who moved to Saudi Arabia from Paris Saint-Germain in a £77million deal back in August, was not immune from criticism despite delivering the corner from which Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes nodded Brazil in front.
But after they spurned several good chances, and Vinicius Junior saw a goal disallowed for offside, Bello’s acrobatic finish earned Venezuela a draw.
It is the first time Brazil have failed to beat Venezuela at home and the draw ended a 15-match winning run at home in World Cup qualifying dating back to 2015.
Neymar is sent flying by Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon during the heated match
Neymar was left frustrated as Brazil surrendered a lead late on to settle for a draw
He had earlier delivered the corner from which Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes headed home
They had already recorded wins over Peru and Bolivia in the marathon qualifying section for the 2026 tournament, to be staged jointly between the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The top six nations in the 10-team group will qualify automatically after the World Cup was expanded to 48 teams, while the seventh-placed team will enter an Inter-Confederation Play-off.
Brazil’s next match is a tough visit to Uruguay on Tuesday next week.
Neymar, 31, has scored once and set up three more since arriving in Saudi Arabia.
His first goal came in the AFC Champions League group stage match against Iranian club Nassaji Mazandaran earlier this month.
Al-Hilal top the Saudi Pro League after nine games of the season, winning seven and drawing the other two. They resume their campaign against Al-Khaleej next Friday.
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