Brazil drew 1-1 with Colombia and finished second in Group D of the Copa América 2024, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Uruguay on Saturday. The Colombian team ended up as group leaders and will face Panama in the next round.
At Levi’s Stadium near San Francisco, Colombia struck first at the 8th minute with a sublime free kick by James Rodríguez that kissed the top of the crossbar. Brazil responded four minutes later in similar fashion: from a set piece, Raphinha fired a strong and well-directed shot that entered the goal at the angle of goalkeeper Camilo Vargas for the 1-0.
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Buscamos en el diccionario la definición de "ponerla en el ángulo"…
Nos salió esto. pic.twitter.com/5WYQPB0Shs
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 3, 2024
At the 19th minute, the team coached by Néstor Lorenzo celebrated an equalizer with a header from Davinson Sánchez following a free kick. However, after a lengthy VAR deliberation, it was determined that the defender was offside, and the goal was disallowed in the first controversy of the match.
That tie almost came ten minutes before the end of the first half with another free-kick by James Rodríguez, the star of the match, which forced Alisson to push the ball out for a corner. The Colombian team pressed with good collective play, though not always with the depth to pose a threat to the opposing goal.
Despite this, towards the end, it seemed that Brazil might capitalize on the speed of its attackers to widen the gap, which nearly happened when Vinicius fell in the area and claimed a penalty that VAR did not validate in another controversial refereeing decision. Colombia did strike: Jhon Córdoba slipped the ball between two defenders to Daniel Muñoz, who scored at the near post of Alisson to go into the break tied at 1-1.
Daniel Muñoz y el empate cafetero 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/4XvptsZ6fs
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 3, 2024
The second half began with the same intensity, and almost as a mirror image, Raphinha came close to scoring the second goal from a free kick. On this occasion, the Barcelona winger’s shot went just wide of the angle.
The substitution of Andreas Pereira for Lucas Paquetá at halftime reduced possession for the team coached by Dorival Júnior. In response, the coach later brought on Savinho and Éderson in place of Rodrygo and João Gomes to regain control, but this did not happen.
Colombia managed to translate their control of the game into dangerous chances, with a shot from Jorge Carrascal that was comfortably saved by Alisson, and another from Rafael Santos Borré, which inexplicably went over the crossbar when he had the whole goal at his disposal.
Entretenido empate en California 👊 pic.twitter.com/o6LlByNb39
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 3, 2024
With five minutes remaining and the need to seek victory, Endrick and Douglas Luiz came on for Wendell and Bruno Guimarães. However, the clearest chance came from a shot outside the area by Andreas Pereira, which Camilo Vargas deflected for a corner.
The Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela blew the final whistle, deciding there was no time for more. With this result, Colombia finished first with seven points, while Brazil came second with five points.
Panama won, but it wasn’t enough
In the other Group D match played simultaneously, Costa Rica defeated Paraguay 2-1, with both teams being eliminated from the tournament. The Central Americans went ahead by two goals within the first seven minutes, thanks to Francisco Calvo and Josimar Alcócer, while Ramón Sosa scored the consolation goal for the Paraguayans, who bowed out without earning a single point.
Buen triunfo costarricense en Austin 🙌 pic.twitter.com/McuXE6SpX0
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 3, 2024
