Holders Brazil denied penalty, held 0-0 by Venezuela

Holders Brazil were held 0-0 by Venezuela in their opening Copa America Group B match on Sunday after being denied a possible penalty and seeing Alexandre Pato hit the bar.

Venezuela survived a controversial decision from Bolivian referee Raúl Orosco when Brazil looked to have earned a penalty for handball near the end of the first half.

Goalkeeper Renny Vega parried a shot and Robinho

following through, hit the rebound on target. Defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, scrambling back, slipped as he tried to block the ball with his body.

The ball appeared to hit his upper arm before bouncing out, with a corner given.

Brazil dominated the first half and striker Pato blasted a shot against the bar in the 38th minute and had three other efforts on target.

Venezuela were more enterprising in the second half and the match became more even with half chances at both ends but none clear cut.

It was the second match in the tournament's first three days in which favourites were held to draws after hosts Argentina had to come from behind to hold Bolivia 1-1 on Friday.