Daniel Munoz scored in first-half stoppage time and Colombia secured the top spot in Copa America’s Group D with a 1-1 draw against Brazil in their clash at Santa Clara, Calif., on Tuesday.
Colombia (2-0-1, 7 points) advances to a quarterfinal matchup against CONCACAF Cinderella Panama on Saturday in Glendale, Ariz. Panama advanced from Group C, helped by a shocking victory over the United States.
“We (played) a great match, a great match,” Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo said through an interpreter. “We didn’t win, but no matter the result, my feeling would have been the same. I am fully satisfied because it was another step forward and it was a hard one facing an adversary such as Brazil. I’m happy, and now let’s think about Panama.”
Brazil (1-0-2, 5 points) heads into a perilous quarterfinal against Group C winner Uruguay on Saturday at Las Vegas. The Selecao will have to play without star Vinicius Junior after he picked up his second yellow card of the tournament on Tuesday.
“Until recently, I heard that Brazil has to learn how to play without protagonist players,” Brazil manager Dorival Junior said through an interpreter. “Now we have to learn at certain times we will not have important players, key players for the matches. Others will have to show up and stand up and do their thing.”
Munoz’s strike canceled out a brilliant early free kick from Brazil’s Raphinha and extended Colombia’s unbeaten run to 26 matches, though its 10-match winning streak was halted.
Colombia also topped its group for a second time in the past three Copa Americas as it seeks a second title. Los Cafeteros won the 2001 edition as the host nation, were runners-up in 1975 and finished third five times, including in 2016 and 2021.
“The history is a long one, and we are writing a very tiny page,” Lorenzo said. “But fortunately, we are writing it. Our mindset is going to play as equals, taking chances and risks. And the team is courageous, and we value that.”
Brazil went in front in the 12th minute after James Rodriguez needlessly fouled Joao Gomes as he dribbled away from Colombia’s penalty area.
Up stepped Raphinha, who curled his free kick from about 28 yards over the defensive wall and inside the top left corner after grazing the outstretched palm of diving goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
Vinicius Junior thought he had earned a penalty in the 43rd minute when he darted into the left side of the area and tumbled under Munoz’s challenge.
Replays appeared to show that Munoz made contact with Junior and not the ball, but VAR Mauro Vigliano did not summon referee Jesus Valenzuela to the monitor.
“It took the possibility from us to administer the game in a different way,” Dorival Junior said of that moment.
Colombia then pulled level in first-half stoppage time.
As with most of his team’s play in the first half, Rodriguez was involved, sending a sliding pass to Jhon Cordoba near the penalty arc.
Cordoba turned to neatly slot the ball to Munoz making a run into the right side of the area, and Munoz finished emphatically past Brazil goalkeeper Alisson.
Brazil ratcheted up the pressure after halftime but looked most threatening mainly from set pieces.
Raphinha came closest to scoring on another free kick in the 59th minute that sailed narrowly wide of the left post.
Colombia’s Rafael Borre missed an excellent chance to give his side the lead in the 84th minute, reaching Luis Diaz’s low cross to the back post, only to sky his first-time effort over the crossbar.
Vargas pushed Andreas Pereira’s dipping effort from the penalty arc over the bar in second-half stoppage time.
–Field Level Media
