Colombia came back from behind to draw 1-1 with Brazil on Tuesday, ensuring their qualification for the Copa America quarter-finals as group winners.
Daniel Munoz’s equaliser midway through the first half was enough to give Colombia the win after Raphinha had given Brazil the lead with a superb free-kick in the 12th minute at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The result means Colombia advances to the knockout round as Group D winners, where they will face Group C runners-up Panama on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.
But Tuesday’s draw means Brazil face a big match in Las Vegas on Saturday against arch-rivals Uruguay, who won Group D and have an excellent record.
Brazil goalscorer Raphinha insists the five-time world champions will be unfazed by the prospect of playing Uruguay.
“Our team is evolving with each game and each training session and we feel we are on the right track,” Raphinha said.
“Unfortunately it was not the result we wanted, and it was not the position in which we wanted to qualify for the quarter-finals.
“But whoever wants to be champion should not worry about who he will face in the next round; we have to be ready for anyone.
“We have to be ready to perform at our best if we want to win this competition.”
Vinicius Junior out
Brazil will enter the quarter-finals without Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, who received his second yellow card of the tournament on Tuesday for a reckless early foul on James Rodriguez.
Colombia playmaker Rodriguez raised alarm bells among Brazil fans from the next free-kick when the ball beat goalkeeper Alisson and hit the top of the bar.
Although Colombia started well, Brazil took the lead after 12 minutes when Raphinha powered a superb free-kick into the top corner to make it 1–0.
Colombia continued to pose a threat, though, and Rodriguez volleyed the ball over the bar after 16 minutes.
Three minutes later, Rodriguez thought he had equalised for Colombia when he delivered a perfect cross from a free-kick from the right to Davinson Sanchez, who scored.
The goal was declared offside after a VAR review.
Tempers flared midway through the first half and Venezuelan referee Jesus Valenzuela issued three consecutive yellow cards to Colombians Deiver Machado and Jefferson Lerma as well as Brazil’s Joao Gomes.
Colombia looked the more assured in the first half and their superb play was rewarded on the stroke of half-time when Crystal Palace wing-back Munoz headed in a superb pass from veteran forward Jon Cordoba.
Colombia – who are unbeaten in 26 international matches since losing to Argentina in early 2022 – looked comfortable in the second half and should have won in the final minutes but substitute Rafael Borre shot wide from eight yards.
In the other Group D match on Tuesday, Costa Rica beat Paraguay 2-1 in Austin to finish third.
