Lucas Paquetá and his Brazil teammates have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Copa América following a 1-1 draw with Colombia.
The Seleção only needed a draw to qualify from Group D in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and when Raphinha’s effort bent into the top corner just 12 minutes in, they looked in control.
It seemed as if they had returned to their ruthless ways after a fairly modest start to Copa América 2024, where they drew 0-0 with Costa Rica. Their following fixture against a limited Paraguay side changed their tune, with Paquetá at the centre of their offensive outburst, and eventual 4-1 triumph.
Colombia, however, came into this match as one of the world’s most in-form teams, having won their previous ten fixtures, including beating Brazil 2-1 in November 2023.
It looked as if Los Cafeteros would continue their tearing run of form as former Everton and Real Madrid star James Rodríguez struck the crossbar from a deep free-kick after just seven minutes.
The theme of dangerous efforts from dead-ball situations continued, with James sending a searching ball towards the near post, finding Jhon Córdoba, and then the bottom-right corner. Fortunately for Brazil, the Colombian centre-forward had crept beyond the final defender, and the goal was chalked off for offside.
Late in the first half, Real Madrid forward Vinícius Junior looked to be brought down by midfielder Jhon Arias inside the box. Despite desperate petitions from Brazil head coach Dorival Júnior, the referee deemed the contact inconsequential, denying Paquetá another chance to score from the spot.
After Alisson was caught in possession and forced into a reaction save, the pressure on the Brazilian goal was mounting. On the stroke of half-time, forward Córdoba slipped an inch-perfect pass in behind the Brazilian defence, which Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Muñoz blasted into the roof of the net to level.
Colombia had another chance to score in the second half after Rafael Borré came cascading down the right wing. His deflected cross fell to Jorge Carrascal on the edge of the box, whose effort was dealt with easily by Alisson.
However, in their attempts to build from the back, Brazil were again caught in possession. Luis Díaz was able to break forward down the left wing, swinging a cross towards the unmarked Borré at the back post, who sent his effort over the bar.
The final chance arrived seconds before the final whistle, after a fluid one-two between teenage sensation Endrick and former Manchester City full-back Danilo set up Bruno Guimarães for an effort from distance. Forcing the keeper into a leaping save, the Newcastle United midfielder was unable to snatch all three points late on for Brazil.
Paquetá’s Brazil will face Uruguay and former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa in the quarter-finals of the competition in the famous El Clásico del Río Negro.
La Celeste are in fine form, having won all three of their group games, including a 5-0 demolition of Bolivia and a 1-0 victory over the USA, which knocked the hosts out of the tournament.
The game will be held at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada at 2am BST on Sunday 7 July.
