Brazil and Colombia closed out the Copa America group stage with probably the most tantalizing matchup of the match to date. Raphinha’s picture-perfect free kick within the twelfth minute gave Brazil an early lead because the match rapidly lived as much as its billing, however Colombia discovered an equalizer by means of Daniel Munoz that allowed them to protect an unbeaten group stage and retain first place in Group D.
Brazil shall be left to marvel what might have been after what seemed to be a transparent penalty shout for Vinicius Junior was denied by the referee shortly earlier than Colombia’s purpose.
Colombia flubbed a late probability at a winner, however probably the most impactful second of the match might have are available simply the seventh minute when Vini Jr. was proven a yellow card that can maintain him out of Brazil’s quarterfinal as a result of accumulation.
Jack Lang, Stu James and Thom Harris share their takeaways from Levi’s Stadium…
Was this the perfect match of the match to date?
We’ve been ready for a recreation like this on the Copa America – two heavyweights going face to face – and it didn’t disappoint. It was edge-of-the-seat stuff from the primary minute – breathless, intense and performed like a knockout tie. Maybe that was not shocking given what was at stake: 1 / 4 closing in opposition to Panama for the group D winners and the unwelcome prospect of going through Uruguay for the runners up.
The sport wasn’t at all times fairly – 17 fouls and 4 yellow playing cards within the first half alone – however that didn’t take something away from a spectacle that was lit up by an impressive Raphinha free-kick to provide Brazil the lead. Colombia have been nonetheless within the dressing room – Nestor Lorenzo’s facet caught chilly by Brazil’s electrical begin. That Colombia responded so nicely mentioned every thing about their high quality in addition to their resilience – 26 games unbeaten now.
In that respect the sport lived as much as the hype – each groups had probabilities to grab victory within the dying minutes – and there’s each chance that we’ll be handled to a rematch within the semi-finals, given the way in which the draw works. Few neutrals will complain if that seems to be the case.
Stu James
Eder Militao heads the ball over Jhon Cordoba. (Picture: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Photographs)
On the cash. Each time.
There’s one thing about the way in which James Rodriguez floats in a set-piece – strolling up the ball, flicking his foot to ship it spinning in the direction of the six-yard field, however hanging it within the air simply lengthy sufficient to maintain the goalkeeper at bay – that makes it extremely onerous to withstand.
He has created seven probabilities from set-pieces already on the Copa America; solely three players have created extra alternatives of any variety, full-stop. And he would have had a 3rd dead-ball help in an enthralling first half in opposition to Brazil, if it weren’t for the ruthless geometry of VAR. You’ll typically see him trotting from one facet of the pitch to the opposite to take consecutive corners, however the followers are pleased to attend.
There’s selection in Rodriguez’s set-piece armoury too. After eight minutes, the 32-year-old despatched a depraved free-kick careering in the direction of purpose, just for it to look off the crossbar and out of play. It’s a disgrace it was overshadowed by Raphinha’s effort barely 5 minutes on.
Then, from a crossing place, he abruptly switches approach; rapidly closing his physique to attempt to catch Alisson out. In fact, he very almost did.
Even when he has misplaced a yard of tempo, Rodriguez at all times appears like he’s a step forward. Drifting round behind the 2 strikers – doing, basically, no matter he likes – he makes this glorious Colombia facet tick.
Thom Harris
James Rodriguez takes a shot throughout the first half. (Picture: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY sports)
How will Brazil cope with out Vinicius Junior?
4 Brazil gamers have been strolling a disciplinary tightrope at kick-off and it didn’t take lengthy for one among them to fall off it. There have been simply six minutes on the clock when James Rodriguez flicked the ball over the pinnacle of Vinicius Junior in midfield and collapsed in a heap. Vinicius regarded flabbergasted when referee Jesus Valenzuela produced a yellow card — one which means he’ll now be suspended for Brazil’s quarter-final date with Uruguay.
His absence is clearly a giant deal. Vinicius isn’t just a wonderful player; he’s more and more seen as this facet’s talisman, the person team-mates and followers look to when the going will get powerful. His significance has solely been accentuated by the detached type of Rodrygo, his Actual Madrid colleague, who once more struggled to make a lot of an impression right here.
Dorival Júnior, then, has some powerful calls to make. One choice is to shift Rodrygo out to the left and play Endrick by means of the center. Alternatively, there are few pure wingers that would swap straight in. Gabriel Martinelli and Pepe each take pleasure in taking part in on the left, however the most probably stand-in might be Savinho, who did nicely in Brazil’s first two matches.
No single choice is ideal. Rodrygo doesn’t supply the identical velocity and penetration as Vinicius out broad. Martinelli is off form. Pepe is untested. Savinho is left-footed, so that might require a rejig of Brazil’s attacking patterns. Choices, choices, choices…
Jack Lang
Vinicius Junior reacts after receiving a yellow card. (Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Photographs)
What’s subsequent for every group?
Colombia vs. Panama — Saturday, July 6 at 5:00 p.m. ET (State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ)
Uruguay vs. Brazil — Saturday, July 6 at 9:00 p.m. ET (Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV)
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(High picture: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Photographs)
