That concludes our commentary of the Copa America fixture between Brazil and Colombia! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Brazil will finish their group stage fixtures on Sunday against Ecuador, while Colombia have finished their opening-four matches and must wait to see if four points is enough to qualify them for the next round.
In a match filled with drama, Brazil emerge victorious 2-1 thanks to Casemiro’s headed goal from a Neymar corner in the 100th minute of the match. Diaz’s superb overhead kick to open up the scoring in the 10th minute was cancelled out in contentious fashion with 12 minutes remaining by Firmino, when the referee decided to allow play to continue after being hit with the ball. This allowed Brazil a chance to continue their attack while the Colombia defence momentarily stopped - as normally the result is a drop-ball. The arguments that ensued after the goal was given meant more than 10 minutes of additional time were tacked onto the end of the 90, and it would take that long to separate the two evenly matched sides, as Casemiro won the hosts the match with the last kick of the game. The result confirms Brazil as group winners ahead of their final match, while Colombia - who have played all their games - sit second and must wait for their fate to be determined.
90' + 13' FULL-TIME: BRAZIL 2-1 COLOMBIA.
G. Cuéllar
Yellow Card
90' + 12' Neymar is brought down on the touchline by Cuellar, who bowled over the Brazil number 10. It’s a yellow for the substitute as we play on well past the 100th minute.
Neymar
Assist
90' + 10' Neymar gets himself on the stat-sheet with an assist after his corner was converted by Casemiro.
Casemiro
Goal
90' + 10' BRAZIL TAKE THE LEAD IN THE 100TH MINUTE! INCREDIBLE SCENES! Neymar’s corner-kick is taken to the near post for an unmarked Casemiro, who’s allowed to put a powerful header towards goal leaving Ospina helpless! Brazil have their comeback! 2-1!
W. Barrios
Yellow Card
90' + 9' Barrios is booked for dropping his shoulder and bodychecking Neymar, sending the captain flying.
90' + 8' The free-kick is hit low and hard but it fails to split the Colombia centre-backs as Mina is able to get it out from under his feet and hit it away.
90' + 7' Borja brings Neymar down in midfield which leaves the Brazil captain furious. It’s a free-kick for the Selecao, who send all their players up towards Colombia’s penalty area.
90' + 5' Brazil have not lost in the Copa America at home since a 3-1 loss to Peru in 1975.
90' + 3' An extraordinary 10 minutes of time will be added to the end of the 90 for stoppages.
Ó. Murillo
L. Díaz
90' + 1' Murillo is sent on for Diaz as Rueda looks to hold the draw as we enter added time.
89' Cuadrado swings a free-kick from deep in midfield into Brazil’s penalty area for Mina, but Marquinhos is first to it, putting it out for a throw on the far side.
Neymar
Yellow Card
87' Tesillo is fouled cynically by Neymar, who immediately receives a yellow from the referee.
86' As things stand Brazil will be top of the group with one match to play, while Colombia - who will qualify with a tie - drop to second place with all four of their matches complete.
84' The match finally gets back underway from the kick-off, though Colombia do not look pleased to do so. There’s just over five minutes left plus a considerable amount of stoppage time to go, with the result hanging in the balance.
82' Five minutes after the goal was given Ospina and Mina are still arguing with the referee inside the centre-circle. It doesn’t seem as though Nestor Pitana will change his mind however, as the call was confirmed by VAR.
D. Ospina
Yellow Card
81' Ospina is finally booked for his persistent arguing with the referee, which has given Pitana no other option.
80' There are heated arguments ensuing between the referee and the Colombian side - notably Ospina who is furious with the decision of the referee to give the goal. It appeared in the build-up to the goal, a Neymar pass was played off of the match official, who allowed play to continue instead of whistling for a drop-ball. From there, Brazil proceeded to score the equaliser - leaving Rueda’s side furious.
Renan Lodi
Assist
78' Lodi is credited with the assist for Brazil's goal, as his superb cross was the catalyst for the equaliser.
Roberto Firmino
Goal
78' FIRMINO LEVELS THE MATCH! 1-1! It’s a simple execution as Lodi’s cross from the left is met by a glancing header from the Liverpool forward. The effort is sent low into the ground giving Ospina trouble as it dribbles over the line and in!
Gabriel Barbosa
Richarlison
77' Richarlison's evening is over as he's recalled to the bench. Gabi is the man sent on in his place.
Éverton
Gabriel Jesus
77' More changes for Brazil as Everton is sent on to replace Jesus.
74' It’s a poor decision from Paqueta, who lets fly with his left foot from well outside the penalty area - missing the target entirely.
72' Neymar’s corner is taken to the near post for Silva, but Borja is back to do his defensive work as he hammers it away with a powerful header.
J. Cuadrado
Yellow Card
70' Cuadrado is booked for catching Marquinhos in the face with an extended arm - meaning the Juventus winger will be suspended for Colombia’s quarter-final fixture.
Lucas Paquetá
Fred
68' Tite makes another attacking change as Fred is withdrawn for Lyon's Paqueta.
66' NEYMAR DENIED BY THE POST! The Brazil captain started the move with an incisive pass to Richarlison, who finds Firmino on the edge of the penalty area. The Liverpool forward slips the ball through into the penalty area cleverly for Neymar, who rounds the goalkeeper only to put his off-balance strike against the base of the woodwork!
M. Borja
D. Zapata
64' Both strikers are brought off as Zapata makes way for Borja.
G. Cuéllar
R. Borré
64' Colombia make their first change of the night as Borre is replaced by Cuellar.
64' CHANCE! Brazil push their full-backs up much to the delight of Danilo, who receives a bouncing Fred pass inside the penalty area and whacks a half-volley towards goal - missing the target by a narrow margin.
Renan Lodi
Alex Sandro
62' The carded Sandro is replaced just after the hour by Atletico Madrid's Lodi.
60' CHANCE! Richarlison bursts into the penalty area ahead of Munoz and fires a low, centring pass across the face of goal, but both Jesus and Firmino are unable to turn the ball towards goal.
58' Neymar drives with the ball through midfield, faking a shot and cutting inside to work some room before firing a shot 25 yards from goal, which dribbles wide of Ospina’s left-hand post.
56' Silva hits a pass over the top of the Brazil defence looking for Neymar, who gets within an inch of the delivery after a diving attempt to poke the ball goalwards. Ospina, who had stayed on his line, is ready and catches the ball cleanly preventing the Brazil captain from capitalising.
54' On a positive note for Brazil, they’ve been much better in the second half of matches, scoring five out of their seven goals in the tournament after the restart.
52' Jesus cuts inside and fires an off-balance shot looking for the far corner of the goal, but the Manchester City forward hits his effort high and wide of the target.
50' Neymar swings Brazil’s first corner of the half into the penalty area looking for Firmino, but again it’s Mina who’s first to the ball.
48' Brazil’s 4-3-3 has morphed into a 4-4-2, with Firmino now partnering Neymar centrally. The Liverpool striker will look to exploit the spaces left in the midfield by Neymar, who is the main focus of both of Colombia’s central midfielders.
46' Colombia get the match restarted from the kick-off!
Roberto Firmino
Éverton Ribeiro
46' Tite does indeed make a change at half-time, with Ribeiro replaced by Firmino.
It’s the first time in nine matches the Selecao have been behind at half-time, and there’s no doubt Tite will look to shuffle his pack in search of a result. A lack of penetration points to a change on the wings, with Vinicius or Everton a good option to replace the booked Ribeiro. Rueda seems content to let his side sit back in an organised shape, but tired legs will definitely be a factor as the match stretches on. With Atalanta’s Muriel and Boca Junior’s Cardona available from the bench, Colombia may need a substitution to help them get up the pitch and exploit spaces left in-behind.
An intense first half comes to an end in Rio De Janeiro with Colombia in the lead thanks to a moment of absolute magic from Diaz, whose far-post overhead kick remains the difference between the two sides. Brazil have certainly been the more positive, but despite over 65% possession, Tite’s men have failed to pose Ospina any difficult questions. The Cafeteros look happy to soak up pressure and hit on the counter-attack, with pacey outlets on the wings in the aforementioned Diaz and Cuadrado.
45' + 3' HALF-TIME: BRAZIL 0-1 COLOMBIA.
45' + 2' Brazil are on the attack once again with the half coming to a close but Ribeiro is unable to hold possession on the edge of Colombia’s penalty area as Tesillo scrambles it away.
45' The fourth official indicates three minutes will be added for stoppages.
43' Neymar takes a corner short to Ribeiro, who immediately fires a left-footed cross into the penalty area. It looks a good delivery but Mina is allowed to clear it out of his penalty area with a commanding header.
41' Cuadrado is once again thrown to the floor after getting to the ball ahead of Fred, following an Ospina punched save on a Sandro cross. It’s a chance for Colombia to clear their lines with just under five minutes remaining.
39' Tonight, Ospina ties the record for most caps all-time by a Colombia player, going level with former goalkeeper Carlos Valderrama.
37' Danilo fires a cross into the penalty area from the right looking for Neymar, who gets to it in between Munoz and Mina. The captain uses his head to prod it forward for Richarlison, but the Everton forward can only pop his chance up for an easy Ospina catch.
35' With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Brazil have not done enough to test Ospina, managing just one shot in the opening 35 minutes - which failed to hit the target. The hosts have seen more than enough of the ball to create chances, but Colombia’s tenacious and organised block have thus far thwarted the Selecao.
33' Brazil haven’t trailed in a match since October 2020, when Andre Carrillo’s sixth-minute goal put Peru 1-0 up in a match the Selecao would eventually win 4-2. It’s going to take the same mental resolve to get back in this one; it’s a situation Tite’s side have rarely faced.
31' Jesus and Fred combine to sandwich Cuadrado, leaving a second Colombia player on the turf in two minutes. It’s been a physical match between two sides who certainly have history; the match between Brazil and Colombia in the 2014 World Cup holds the record for most fouls called in a match in tournament history with 54.
29' Neymar catches Munoz on the leg during an off-ball incident which appeared to be fully unintentional. The right-back is in need of some attention after grabbing his right leg, but should be okay to continue.
Éverton Ribeiro
Yellow Card
27' Brazil’s second yellow of the match is shown to Ribeiro, who is reprimanded by the referee for holding Uribe back after the midfielder had gotten past his man.
25' It’s a poor delivery from the corner by Neymar, as it fails to find the head of a team-mate, allowing Colombia to clear at the first time of asking.
24' Neymar slips the ball into the penalty area for Richarlison, who can only fire an off-balance cross against Munoz, giving Brazil another corner.
22' The corner, like the free-kick, is taken short by Neymar, but Ribeiro’s path to the ball after a Sandro pass is blocked off inside the penalty area which allows Colombia to regain their shape.
20' Brazil are given a free-kick in midfield after Barrios’ illegal attempts to keep the ball at his feet while down on the ground, obstructing Casemiro’s pursuit. The set-piece is taken short before being worked into the 18-yard box, which yields the Selecao a corner.
19' Marquinhos gets in position on the left-hand side of the Colombia penalty area and fires a cross towards Neymar, but the delivery is put too high for the captain, allowing Sanchez to get the telling touch.
17' The inswinger is put to the near post, but Mina rises highest to nod away the danger.
16' Neymar is taken down on the left wing, giving Brazil a chance to assault the Colombia penalty area with a good delivery.
Alex Sandro
Yellow Card
14' Alex Sandro is booked for a foul on his Juventus team-mate Cuadrado, catching the winger in the face.
12' Colombia boss Reinaldo Rueda is looking for his first win against Brazil: he has managed two games against them, one as Ecuador manager and another in his previous spell with Colombia (D1 L1). His draw was for Colombia on Brazilian soil in qualification for the 2006 World Cup.
J. Cuadrado
Assist
10' Cuadrado is credited with the assist after his inch-perfect cross was met by DIaz's exceptional finish.
L. Díaz
Goal
10' COLOMBIA HAVE JUST SCORED THE MOST INCREDIBLE GOAL! Cuadrado whips a cross to the far post looking for Barrios, but it’s Diaz who meets it with a scintillating overhead kick - giving Weverton absolutely no chance! 1-0 to the Cafeteros!
7' Richarlison is overzealous in his attempts to win the ball from Barrios, drawing attention from the referee who is well-positioned to see the foul. Colombia are given a free-kick in the centre-circle and a chance to keep possession.
5' Again Colombia give it away in midfield as a careless Uribe pass lets Fred retake possession for the Selecao. The Manchester United midfielder immediately looks up and splits the defence with a leading pass for Jesus, but Ospina comes off his line to meet the ball first.
3' A giveaway by Tesillo allows Jesus to win the ball in midfield, but Richarlison’s pass into the penalty area for Ribeiro is blocked by a desperate Sanchez.
1' Brazil get the match underway from the kick-off!
Colombia make four changes from their 2-1 loss against Peru, as Reinaldo Rueda gets two key players back from red cards. Munoz is in for Medina at right-back, while Uribe and Diaz return from suspension to replace Perez and Cardona respectively. The final switch is in attack, where it’s Borre and not Borja who partners Zapata.
Brazil make five changes from their 4-0 thrashing of Peru last time out. Tite continues rotating his goalkeepers, as Weverton replaces Ederson in goal, while Militao is dropped to the bench for Marquinhos. Fabinho and Everton replaced by Casemiro and Everton Ribeiro in midfield and Richarlison gets the nod over Gabi in attack.
COLOMBIA SUBS: Yimmi Chara, Baldomero Perlaza, Luis Muriel, Oscar Murillo, Carlos Cuesta, John Medina, Edwin Cardona, Frank Fabra, Camilo Vargas, Aldair Quintana, Gustavo Cuellar, Miguel Borja.
COLOMBIA XI (4-4-2): David Ospina; Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina, William Tesillo; Juan Cuadrado, Wilmer Barrios, Mateus Uribe, Luis Diaz; Rafael Borre, Duvan Zapata.
BRAZIL SUBS: Alisson, Vinicius Junior, Fabinho, Douglas Luiz, Gabriel Barbosa, Roberto Firmino, Lucas Paqueta, Emerson, Renan Lodi, Everton, Eder Militao, Ederson.
BRAZIL XI (4-3-3): Weverton; Alex Sandro, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo; Fred, Casemiro, Everton Ribeiro; Neymar, Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus.
With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up, starting with Brazil!
Colombia opened their Copa campaign with a 1-0 win against Ecuador, before a 0-0 draw with Venezuela and a shock loss to Peru extinguished their momentum. Even still, the Cafeteros sit second in the group behind Brazil and could guarantee a spot in the next round with an unlikely win against the Selecao; which would be their first since 2015.
Peru’s failure to beat Ecuador earlier today leaves the door open for Brazil to qualify for the next stage as group winners with a victory against Colombia. The Selecao come into this fixture on the back of nine straight wins, dating back to a 1-0 loss against Argentina in a friendly in November 2019. Yet to concede a goal and out-scoring their opponents 7-0, Tite’s side have firmly established their claim as tournament favourites.
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