Match story
- Bolivia fired more attempts (18 vs 5 shots).
- Venezuela was more accurate in front of goal (80% on target vs 50%).
Bolivia defeated Venezuela 4-2 in the World Cup - Qualification South America. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 3 stage in the 2018 season. The match was played at Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz. Victor Hugo Carrillo, Peru officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Bolivia vs Venezuela meeting in World Cup - Qualification South America with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Bolivia and Venezuela. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
World Cup - Qualification South AmericaRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Despite being one of the greatest Brazilian players of the last decade, Neymar had gone nearly three years without playing for Brazil. However, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided to reintegrate him into the squad for the 2026 World Cup, prompting the 34-year-old star to react on social media. Throughout the last decade, Neymar emerged as the most decisive figure for Brazil. While he never managed to win a Copa América or a World Cup, he remained the cornerstone of the national team for years. However, injuries kept him away from the squad for nearly three years. In a surprising turn, the 34-year-old star has now been included in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, prompting an emotional reaction on social media. “It’s hard not to get emotional. With everything we’ve been through. Everything they watched me go through. And me getting here, managing to compete in another World Cup. It’s Incredible. These are tears of pure happiness. Truly I want to tank every single Brazilian who supported me and cheered for me… we have another World Cup to fight for. We will absolutely give our lives to bring the Cup back to Brazil” Neymar said, on his Youtube channel. While there were serious doubts surrounding his physical condition,Carlo Ancelotti has rewarded Neymar for his major improvement at Santos FC, revealing that he will be important. With this call-up, the 34-year-old star now has what could be his final opportunity to chase the long-awaited World Cup title. However, he will not have an easy path toward becoming a starter, as Matheus Cunha and Lucas Paquetá currently appear to hold a certain advantage. Neymar is set to make his return with Brazil after three years away from the national team, giving him a clear opportunity to end his long scoring drought with the Canarinha. In addition, the 34-year-old star emerges as a key figure for Carlo Ancelotti after the injuries to Rodrygo and Estêvão, as his experience could prove decisive. Beyond his impact on the field, they also regain a clear dressing-room leader, something that can be crucial when competing at the highest level. Neymar Jr. of Brazil battles for possession with Yangel Herrera of Venezuela during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match. Neymar Jr. to play inside forward for Brazil, says Carlo Ancelotti Heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazil appear to have a clear plan built around Raphinha and Vinícius Júnior on the wings. In addition, the regular presence of Matheus Cunha as the starting attacking midfielder offers strong indications of how the lineup could look. Because of this, Neymar’s role remains a major topic of debate, leading Carlo Ancelotti to reveal that the 34-year-old star will play as an inside forward. After his numerous injuries at Al Hilal SFC, Neymar has evolved into an attacking midfielder. No longer standing out because of his pace, the Brazilian star now makes the difference through his dribbling, vision, and ability to break defensive lines with precise through balls. Because of this, Carlo Ancelotti will use him as a major enhancer of Brazil’s collective play, something that neither Matheus Cunha nor Lucas Paquetá have consistently managed to provide for the national team.
After a great collective play, Lionel Messi scored the opening goal for Inter Miami in the MLS game against the Portland Timbers. Inter Miami hosted the Portland Timbers on Sunday at Nu Stadium looking to climb the MLS Eastern Conference standings. Lionel Messi spearheaded the attack for the Herons, providing the game’s opening breakthrough before delivering an assist to push the advantage to 2-0, securing the historic first victory at the club’s new home. Sunday’s clash marked Inter Miami’s fifth match at Nu Stadium since its grand opening, with the Herons previously enduring a frustrating stretch of three draws and a loss at the new venue. After sustained attacking pressure turned Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis into the player of the match early with a string of brilliant saves, the Herons finally carved open the Portland defense through the middle of the pitch to finally break the negative streak. In the 31st minute, Messi controlled a pass from Telasco Segovia and quickly found Luis Suarez, who immediately linked back up with the Venezuelan midfielder. Segovia then delivered a spectacular backheel pass that left Messi one-on-one with the keeper, allowing the Argentine star to slot it home and open the scoring for the hosts. Messi makes no mistake for his 12th goal of the year. 💫@InterMiamiCF lead 1-0 at home. pic.twitter.com/QqiFVtiTgS— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 17, 2026 Messi wasn’t finished impacting the scoreboard, later turning playmaker to set up German Berterame for Inter Miami’s second goal. In the 42nd minute, Messi executed a perfect give-and-go with Suarez before dancing past Cole Bassett and Diego Chara inside the box. After freezing the defenders, the Argentine slipped a pass across the face of the goal for Berterame to tap home first-time, comfortably doubling the Herons’ lead against the Timbers before the break. Messi assists, Berterame finishes. Wow. What a run. 😎 pic.twitter.com/RGsxFTcVS9— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 17, 2026 Those numbers bring Messi’s season totals to 13 goals and 5 assists across 15 matches. Most notably, the superstar has racked up four goals and four assists over his last four outings, solidifying his status as the frontrunner for the MLS Player of the Month award for May. Messi directly involved in over half of Inter Miami’s MLS goals Messi has undoubtedly been Inter Miami’s talisman since his arrival, serving as both the team’s primary finisher and the creative engine behind their build-up play. However, during the 2026 MLS campaign, his influence has reached a point where the Herons are heavily reliant on what the Argentine legend can produce on any given night. Through 14 matches, Inter Miami has found the back of the net 33 times, with Messi directly involved in 18 of those tallies by racking up 13 goals and five assists. While nine other players have cracked the scoresheet for Miami this season, Berterame is the next closest with just five goals, highlighting the team’s extreme dependence on their superstar captain.
Major League Soccer recognized Lionel Messi for his performance against Orlando City, despite Inter Miami’s defeat. Last Saturday, Inter Miami suffered a tough 4-3 loss to Orlando City after starting the match in dominant fashion and building a three-goal lead. Despite the setback, Major League Soccer honored Lionel Messi’s performance. “Inter Miami CF captain Lionel Messi has been named to the Major League Soccer Team of the Matchday,” the club announced in a statement published on its official website. “The Argentine earns his fifth Team of the Matchday selection of the campaign after a standout performance in which he contributed to all three Inter Miami goals, recording one goal and two assists.” The Herons’ first-half advantage was largely driven by the Argentine forward’s performance. On Ian Fray’s opening goal, Messi played the pass to Telasco Segovia, who then delivered the cross. He later assisted the Venezuelan midfielder for the second goal, and in the 33rd minute, he scored the third with a precise finish. However, Messi’s performance was overshadowed in the second half by another Argentine. Martin Ojeda led Orlando City’s comeback with a hat trick to level the score and then assisted Tyrese Spicer for the game-winning goal in stoppage time. Matchday 11's best XI. 😮💨Team of the Matchday pres. by Audi: https://t.co/hzNJh99dHI pic.twitter.com/oIPV0HmD2S— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 4, 2026 Messi keeps piling up accolades The honor awarded by MLS to Lionel Messi as part of the Team of the Matchday for Week 11 adds to a growing list of similar recognitions the Argentine forward has earned for his performances with Inter Miami. In fact, during the 2026 season, Messi has been named to the Team of the Matchday in five of the first eleven weeks. His previous selections came in Matchday 2 (alongside Javier Mascherano, Telasco Segovia, and Mateo Silvetti), Matchday 5 (alongside Gonzalo Lujan), Matchday 6, and Matchday 8. These honors reflect the Argentine star’s production so far this season. Messi has played in 10 of Inter Miami’s 11 MLS matches in 2026—resting only for the March matchup against Charlotte FC—and has recorded eight goals and one assist. Inter Miami’s upcoming challenges Following the tough loss to Orlando City, Inter Miami now have a week to recover both mentally and physically. On Saturday, they will travel to Canada to face Toronto FC in the first of three matches in a one-week span. They will then visit FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, May 13, before returning home the following Sunday to host Portland Timbers.
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