Brazil can book a place in the knockout phase of the Copa America for a third successive occasion with a single point against Colombia on Tuesday at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco.
A 4-1 victory over Paraguay on matchday two has vaulted Selecao into second place in Group D, while the Colombians clinched a spot in the quarter-finals thanks to a 3-0 win over Costa Rica.
Match preview
© Imago
For over a half hour on Friday, it appeared as though we were seeing a similar story play out for the Brazilians, who squandered numerous opportunities, including a penalty.
Unlike matchday one, however, Dorival Junior's side eventually found a breakthrough and poured it on, claiming their biggest victory since September 2023 (5-1 win over Bolivia).
Their matchday two triumph ended a four-game winless run for them versus CONMEBOL opponents, with Verde-Amarela losing their last three matches against that region before Friday.
As a result, they need only avoid defeat on matchday three to advance beyond the group stage for the 14th time in their previous 15 appearances at the Copa America.
The last time they lost a group fixture at this tournament was in the United States in 2016 when they were beaten by Peru 1-0 on their final matchday and eliminated at the group stage.
While their results have been mixed since Junior became manager, this team have been tidier defensively at this tournament, conceding only once after allowing a combined six goals in their three matches leading up to this competition.
© Reuters
Another clinical performance by the Colombians on Friday means they will feature in the last eight of this competition for a sixth successive occasion.
Los Cafeteros are currently on a 25-match unbeaten run across all competitions, with a 100% record this year, claiming six triumphs.
A victory for them on matchday three would ensure they top their group and end this phase of this competition with nine points for the first time since 2019.
Not since a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Mexico last December have Nestor Lorenzo's men conceded a goal in the opening half.
The Colombians have emerged victorious the last three times that they have conceded the opening goal in a match, the last time being in that aforementioned triumph over the Mexicans last year.
On Tuesday, La Tricolor can win consecutive matches against Brazil for the first time ever, having beaten them 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier last November.
Team News
© Imago
The Brazilians may keep star forward Vinicius Junior on the bench, as he and his Real Madrid teammate Eder Militao and Wendell are among the Selecao players on a yellow card and in danger of being suspended.
There were two changes made to their starting 11 on matchday two, as Wendell reclaimed his place at left-back over Guilherme Arana, while Savio came in for Raphinha.
Vinicius notched a first-half brace on Friday, giving him five with the national team, Savio netted his first international goal and Lucas Paqueta, also on a yellow card, converted a 65th-minute penalty after missing from the spot in the opening half.
There were concerns about Colombian skipper James Rodriguez, who was taken off with fewer than 20 minutes remaining on Friday, but Lorenzo says it was only as a precaution.
Three Colombians will miss the quarter-finals with a caution on Tuesday, as Jefferson Lerma, Richard Rios and Jhon Cordoba are currently on one yellow card.
On matchday two, Luis Diaz converted an opening-half penalty, the 13th for the Liverpool man with the national team, while Cordoba and Davinson Sanchez scored the other goals.
Brazil possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Danilo, Beraldo, Marquinhos, Arana; Guimaraes, Gomes; Savio, Pereira, Rodrygo; Endrick
Colombia possible starting lineup:
Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Cuesta, Machado; Castano, Uribe, Arias; Sinisterra, Duran, Diaz
We say: Brazil 1-1 Colombia
Both sides might be thinking long-term, with the Colombians already qualified for the next round, while Brazil have the inside track on second place, three points above Costa Rica with a +3 goal differential and Los Ticos at -3.
Neither team want to risk injuries nor suspensions, so we expect a cagey but entertaining affair with some quality youngsters on each side eager to impress.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
Argentina
Canada
Chile
Peru
Venezuela
Ecuador
Mexico
Jamaica
Uruguay
Panama
USA
Bolivia
Colombia
Brazil
Costa Rica
Paraguay
