Brazil and Colombia through to the quarterfinals after a stalemate
This news has been read 159 times!
SANTA CLARA, July 3, (Xinhua): Daniel Munoz canceled out an early Raphinha strike as Colombia and Brazil drew 1-1 in their final Copa America group stage match.
Raphinha put Brazil ahead with a sumptuous free-kick before Munoz slotted home from close range on the stroke of halftime.
The result ensured Colombia finished top of Group D with seven points from three games, two points ahead of second-placed Brazil.
Both teams will play their quarterfinal matches on Saturday, with the Cafeteros facing Panama in Phoenix and Brazil confronting Uruguay in Las Vegas.
“We had our chances to win, and it’s disappointing that we didn’t, but even so, it’s mission accomplished so far,” Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez said. “We have big plans, and we’re not going to be satisfied just by reaching this stage. We want more.”
The result ended Colombia’s winning streak which had extended to 10 matches. But the Cafeteros remain unbeaten in their last 26 outings dating back to early 2022.
Brazil, meanwhile, looked far from the well-oiled machine that football fans are accustomed to.
Raphinha admitted the five-time world champions are still a work in progress under manager Dorival Junior, who took charge in January following a disastrous run of results last year.
“We are still finding our way but I’m sure we are going to click soon,” the Barcelona winger said.
“To win major tournaments, you have to overcome tough challenges like tonight. We couldn’t get the win but we had our chances. We did what was required to progress and now we have to be prepared for what’s coming.”
It took just 12 minutes for Brazil to take the lead at Levi’s Stadium as Raphinha curled a 25-yard free-kick into the top-right corner.
Colombia appeared to equalize shortly after when Sanchez headed in after James Rodriguez’s inch-perfect free-kick. But the goal was ruled out for offside after a review by the video assistant referee (VAR).
The game was played at a frenetic pace with both sides attacking relentlessly. Vinicius Junior went down in the area after a clumsy challenge from Daniel Munoz, but referee Jesus Valenzuela said there was no penalty after another VAR review.
Munoz was proving a thorn in Brazil’s side and he put his side on level terms in the 47th minute when he latched onto Jhon Cordoba’s pass and fired a first-time effort past goalkeeper Alisson.
Colombia continued dictating terms after halftime and Brazil was fortunate that attempts from Cordoba and Jorge Carrascal were directed straight at Alisson.
Rafael Borre, a 76th-minute substitute for Jhon Cordoba, should have given Colombia the lead but could only manage to hammer his attempt over the bar from point-blank range with Alisson nowhere in sight.
Brazil also narrowly missed a chance to go ahead when Andreas Pereira’s long-range effort was tipped over by Vargas in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
This news has been read 159 times!
