(VIDEO) Was It a red card? Vinícius Júnior at the center of another controversy

Brazil's national team played to a shocking 1-1 draw against Venezuela in a World Cup 2026 qualifier, with a late-game incident sparking heated debates over discipline and fairness.

Details: In the 89th minute, Emelec defender Alexander González bent down to retrieve the ball after committing a foul. Vinícius Júnior approached and shoved him from behind, prompting González to instinctively swing back and strike the Real Madrid star in the face.

The incident immediately polarized fans online, with many accusing Vinícius of exaggerating the contact and intentionally provoking the altercation.

Earlier in the match, Vinícius missed a penalty he earned himself. The game also witnessed a bizarre moment when the stadium's sprinkler system unexpectedly activated during play, adding to the evening's drama.

Reminder: Lionel Messi also made headlines recently after verbally lashing out at the referee following Argentina’s surprising 2-1 loss to Paraguay, adding another layer of tension to the South American qualifiers.