Did Ronaldinho have a degree? Ridiculous because it sounds — Ronaldinho will certainly have a good time with the Selecao if Brazil wins this yr’s Copa America — Brazil has seemed surprisingly mediocre over their previous three video games, and so they look nothing just like the world-conquering groups of the early 2000s. Regardless of dominating Costa Rica in each possession and possibilities, Brazil was woefully wasteful and needed to accept a draw. They made mild work of Paraguay in a 4-1 win. However, they entered a blockbuster matchup in opposition to Colombia needing a win to say first of their group. With their latest outcomes, it wouldn’t be ridiculous to say claiming a win seemed unlikely.
This Brazil crew, regardless of the standard of its star gamers, has seemed pissed off at occasions. They seemed pissed off taking part in in opposition to Costa Rica’s again 5, leaning on counter-attacking possibilities and lengthy photographs to attempt to make a distinction. Neymar’s absence is clear all through the entire squad — at occasions, this Brazil squad is missing in creativity and aptitude. And, they’ve carried a burden on them. They’ve been looking for a title for practically 5 years, and they’re coping with reminiscences of heartbreak and the stifling expectations of the media. Though it wouldn’t silence the criticism, a constructive end result in opposition to an in-form Colombia might mute the questions.
Munoz equalizer places Colombia up prime
For a minute, it seemed like Brazil would return to its world-beating selves. Their early opener got here by means of Raphinha, whose first objective since September for Brazil got here at a significant time. His banging effort was virtually robotic. Set the ball—dimension up the wall. Take just a few striding steps towards the ball. Strike it. Repeat. His curling, spinning effort steadily rose over the Colombian wall and dipped simply sufficient to nestle itself within the prime proper nook. Raphinha celebrated the objective as if he had simply received the World Cup, and rightfully. The strike would take Brazil to the highest of the group and set them up for a quarterfinal match in opposition to Panama.
Nonetheless, it appeared Brazil cracked below stress, because it has a number of occasions all through the Copa América. They have been lucky to flee a right away equalizer after Davinson Sánchez’s headed objective off a James Rodriguez set-piece was chalked off because of off-sides.
They usually seemed brittle below duress. You possibly can bodily see the indicators of pressure and stress on Brazil- the signs being thrown arms, weary eyes, and bursts of anger. Even whereas they held their lead and loved the vast majority of possession, they nonetheless lashed out, vulnerable to moments of frustration. Joao Gomes practically instigated a bench-clearing brawl after smashing a ball right into a grounded Colombia participant. Vinicius discovered himself twisted up with James Rodriguez and clumsily swung his arm into James’ face, choosing up a yellow that can mark him absent for his or her subsequent sport. He exploded on the referee after he was denied a transparent penalty simply earlier than halftime, and he was stifled all through the match by Colombia’s stringent protection. They all the time appeared on edge, anticipating the subsequent controversy and the most recent vital headline.
Colombia discovered its long-awaited equalizer because of the creativity of Jhon Cordoba. Receiving the ball along with his again to the objective and combating off stress from Marquinhos, Cordoba initially settled the ball earlier than slipping an ideal through-ball to left-back Daniel Munoz streaking behind the protection. One-on-one with Alisson, Munoz stabbed his shot simply over the keeper into an open internet to return on prime of the group.
Colombia practically took the lead within the 83rd minute by means of the counter-attack. After dispossessing a Brazil midfielder halfway up the pitch, Luis Diaz scampered onto a through-ball on the wing with choices within the field. Diaz performed a powerful ball throughout the face of the objective to Rafael Borre. However, Borre couldn’t get a clear hit on the ball, bouncing and twirling throughout the turf. His try rose simply over the bar as an anguished Borre and relieved Alisson might solely watch.
Brazil seals quarterfinals spot
Ought to Brazil be nervous? Quick reply, sure. After their barren 1-1 draw, they’ll journey to Vegas and face a Uruguay aspect that has scored 9 objectives and conceded one this event. They appear dangerously near their worst Copa America end result since 2015, and a loss might put their complete rebuild below gaffer Dorival Junior in jeopardy.
Brazil seemed off their sport in opposition to Colombia, who additionally sat deep for many of the sport. They struggled to flow into the ball by means of the midfield, that means gamers like Vinicius and Rodrygo seemed stranded all through the match. Colombia’s deep block meant that Brazil couldn’t strike on the counter. With Bruno Guimaraes and Gomes, two defensive midfielders, tasked with progressing the ball and creating alternatives, Brazil struggled to interrupt down Colombia’s low block. Their greatest alternatives got here off dead-ball conditions.
For a Brazil squad whose calling card has been their potent, flashy assault, this end result was uncanny — unreal virtually.
Brazil’s Saturday quarterfinal matchup in opposition to Uruguay can be a turning level of their progress main as much as the World Cup. This Copa America was imagined to be a breakout event for the nation’s youthful era. Gomes, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Endrick, and extra weigh in because the crew’s most necessary gamers regardless of their youth. Nonetheless, they’ve all seemed both inconsistent or unimpressive all through the event. Set to be with out Neymar and likewise a suspended Vinicius, their quarterfinal fixture will mark a turning level for Brazil. Can Brazil lean on their youth for his or her World Cup push? Or will Brazil have to return to their growing old stars?
As for Colombia, they’ll depend themselves unfortunate to not stroll away with one other win. Colombia hasn’t misplaced a match since March 2022, and so they confirmed no indicators of breaking that streak. Unfortunate to see their first objective disallowed, Colombia equalized by means of a magical Rodriguez set-piece. Colombia stretched out Brazil’s protection by means of their wingers Rodriguez and Luis Diaz, and their possibilities continuously got here down the flank. On a greater day, they might have scored as many as three objectives. They have been the higher crew and might take satisfaction of their efficiency, particularly after sealing a positive match in opposition to Panama.
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