Brazil show-fight vs. Colombia, but will it cost them in the future?

The time will tell when it will be decided if Brazil could have sat out certain of their players in the match to face Colombia on Tuesday to ensure their gunpowder is dry in preparation for Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay.

By Tim Vickery

Jul 03, 2024 04:04 AM

Roared on by their devoted travelling fans, Colombia were the better side in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Brazil that brings the Copa America group phase to a close. The Selecao nearly snatched the win right at the end, when Andreas Pereira had a shot from the edge of the area athletically tipped over by keeper Camilo Vargas . But it would have been an injustice.

In the blazing heat of the Santa Clara sunshine, this was a game that would produce plenty of heat with some moments of light. There is a rivalry between the two teams that at an enthralled crowd is likely to be a raging battle. Colombia played with their spot in the quarterfinals secured and, unless there is the possibility of a mathematical miracle and a mathematical miracle, so did Brazil. There was a strong argument to take a step off the pedal and taking a break from a the key player, particularly those who were one white card away suspension.

It was a matter that neither country took note of. Both teams did not back down and Colombia will be entering their quarterfinal without star middlefielder Jefferson Lerma. Brazil however, did better. They’ll not have Vinicius Junior. The team that won the group is after a 1-1 draw, Colombia meet the Copa’s surprise team Panama. Brazil have, however, been sent going to play the more risky Uruguay. In addition, with Brazil players being forced to endure long second-half cries of “ole” and “ole” from Colombian supporters as they played the ball across the pitch, a clear issue is raised what was worth it?

Uruguay are allowed an extra day of take a break prior to Saturday’s quarterfinal. If we look back, could Brazil be better off to rest their best players, particularly those who are on yellow cards and keep the powder clean for Bielsa’s Uruguay?

The good news is that Brazil had their very first goals directly via a penalty kick following the strike of Phillippe Coutinho in a game against South Korea in November of 2019. The team was very close to securing another. After giving his team an early lead through an excellent strike against the wall that was protecting them, Raphinha almost added another goal after the interval and sent a cross-shot that was just over. Then, as expected, the duo of him as well as Vinicius on the flanks created numerous issues to those Colombian full-backs. Vinicius probably was not fortunate enough to get a penalty from Daniel Munoz even though there was still only a 1-0 score however, there was not enough of an end product. There are instances in which the absence of a true centre-forward becomes an issue. Also, credit should be given the cover by the Colombian centre-backs, particularly the often-discredited Davinson Sanchez His speed was vital in the moment Vinicius was able to cut inside.

However, Brazil’s biggest issue was midfield. There was a need to guard the veteran right defender Danilo in the face of Luis Diaz’s fire and skills that was Luis Diaz, and as such, Joao Gomes was brought in to assist the latter. However, this resulted in James Rodriguez able to make too much room and roamed around the field looking for little pockets to direct the play.

His set pieces also were constantly a threat. He hit the bar early with a free kick, then crossed in to score an Sanchez goal, which was disallowed due to an offside call, and constantly came up with ways to frighten the Brazil defense. Colombia had a few chances but had a chance to level the score as Rodriguez played a key role in bringing about the equaliser shortly before half-time by slipping into the middle to John Cordoba to play the pivotal role, he turned before slipping Munoz to break into space and smack into the goal past Alisson Becker.

Lucas Paqueta may be the culprit for not observing the race. He was removed at the time of the interval. However, things got worse without him. The substitute Pereira struggled to keep intensity of the game and, besides that final shot, was barely noticed. In the second period Brazil were unable to make their way through the field and Colombia was in the lead. They should have seized the lead, with their best possibility being when Diaz played in the substitute Rafael Santos Borre, who scored a goal that was wide. In the future,or perhaps in the semifinals against Brazil Colombia Colombia could be penalized for their failure to convert opportunities into goals.

Brazil is, however, going to have to endure critics in their media. In a match required them to win in order to avoid Uruguay the coach Dorival Junior did not wait till the final minute of the game before deciding to bring on the striker Endrick. Then, with stiff legs and perhaps a few doubts as to their capability to make it all the way in this tournament the team heads to Arizona to shoot out with Uruguay.

A little ease. The bottom five on the South American World Cup qualification table have all had coaches change since the competition began in September. After an incredibly poor 2023 season, Brazil is among the worst. The remaining four teams -the four – Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia and Peru and Peru haven’t shown any improvements. They all have been removed from the Copa without an even score and barely a single goal. Brazil however, are unbeaten and remain on the verge of winning. They’ll be forced to climb Everest in a tough way in order to take home this Copa however, at least in the sporadic flashes of brilliance against Colombia they displayed the necessary fighting spirit.