- Raphinha scored a beautiful free-kick goal, and Muñoz equalized in the first half.
- The Group Stage of this CONMEBOL Copa América™ comes to an end.
Highlights
- Winger Raphinha ended a drought of more than 4 years without Brazil scoring a goal from a direct free-kick.
- Colombia equalized at the end and dominated the action in the second half.
- Néstor Lorenzo's team extended an unbeaten streak to 26 games.
Match Recap
Both teams put a lot of energy on the field as soon as the ball started to roll on the sunny late afternoon in Santa Clara. The first half was marked by strong challenges, good offensive combinations and important interventions from the goalkeepers of Brazil and Colombia. No one wanted to relinquish the lead of Group D.
The goal situations also started to emerge: in the 8th minute, James Rodríguez took a free-kick and hit Alisson's crossbar; In the 10th minute, Bruno Guimarães tried from medium distance and Vargas deflected it away. Finally, Brazil opened the scoring soon after, with Raphinha taking a free-kick and putting the ball into the top right corner of the Colombian's goal.
The disadvantage led Los Cafeteros to launch themselves even more for the goal. James appeared alone in the final third to finish a low cross, but sent it over. Then, the number 10 took a free-kick from the left and Davinson Sánchez thumped it with his head, but an offside was called in the move. However, the momentum for undefeated Colombia was building and they were gaining confidence.
Brazil tried to take advantage of some inattention from the opponent on the counterattacks, but found few ways to reach Vargas' goal again. James, meanwhile, almost scored from a long-range spot-kick, but Alisson reacted in time. In stoppage time, after the Brazilian goalkeeper prevented a clear chance from Díaz, Néstor Lorenzo's team insisted and, following the move, Córdoba passed to Muñoz who ran into the box, shot high and scored the equalizer before the break.
The return for the second half continued in the same intensity, with the Colombian team growing into the game on the field. James orchestrated the actions in midfield, Díaz and Córdoba caused problems in Brazil's ball distribution and the defense managed to control the attack of Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Rodrygo.
Colombia's dominance has cheered up fans, who began chanting to motivate their fellow countrymen. Confidence seemed even higher among the Colombians. And the chances kept coming: James crossed a good pass for Córdoba who headed it toward Alisson for the save save, in the 69th minute, and Los Cafeteros appeared to take advantage of a turnover inside the area in the 84th minute. A minute later, Borré missed an incredible chance when he appeared free on Luis Díaz's cross, shooting over almost in the six-yard box.
The teams seemed to take advantage of the end of the match to catch their breath at the finish of an electrifying battle.. But there was still time for Andreas Pereira to try from outside the box and force Vargas into one last save, but the 1-1 score remained.
Watch the goals and match highlights from Brazil 1-1 Colombia:
What's next?
Colombia finished top of Group D with 7 points and will face Panama in the Quarterfinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Brazil, on the other hand, ends the Group Stage with 5 points and will have Uruguay as an opponent in the next phase, in a match at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. Both matches take place on Saturday, July 6.
Lineups & Match Info
Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Éder Militão, Marquinhos, Wendell; João Gomes, Bruno Guimarães, Lucas Paquetá; Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo.
Substitutes used: Andreas Pereira, Savinho, Éderson, Endrick, Douglas Luiz.
Cards: Vinícius Jr. (yellow), João Gomes (yellow), Bruno Guimarães (yellow)
Coach: Dorival Júnior.
Colombia: Camilo Vargas; Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sánchez, Carlos Cuesta, Deiver Machado; Jefferson Lerma, Richard Ríos, Jhon Arias; James Rodríguez, Luis Diáz, Jhon Córdoba.
Substitutes used: Johan Mojica, Mateus Uribe, Rafael Borré, Luis Sinisterra, Jorge Carrascal.
Cards: Machado (yellow), Lerma (yellow)
Coach: Néstor Lorenzo.
Superior Player of the Match Michelob ULTRA: James Rodríguez (Colombia)
Goals: 12’ Raphinha (Brazil), 45+2 Muñoz (Colombia)
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela)
Venue: Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, California
