Colombia win Copa group with Brazil draw, both teams advance

Colombia win Copa group with Brazil draw, both teams advance

ByREUTERS

July 2, 2024, 11:19 PM

Brazil played out an action-packed 1-1 draw with Colombia in Santa Clara, California on Tuesday to qualify for the Copa América quarterfinals.

Colombia, who finished top of Group D on seven points, face Panama in the quarters while second-placed Brazil take on Group C winners Uruguay.

A frantic first 15 minutes at Levi's Stadium saw Colombia go within inches of scoring after James Rodriguez hit the crossbar, before Raphinha whipped a sublime free kick into the top corner to give Brazil the lead in the 12th minute.

Colombia had a Davinson Sanchez goal disallowed for offside before striker Jhon Cordoba's brilliant through ball was rifled into the net by Daniel Munoz to level the scores in first-half stoppage time.

Despite the searing California heat neither side let the intensity drop after the break. Raphinha fired a free kick just wide and Andreas Pereira tested Camilo Vargas with a long-range effort but Colombia held on for the draw and stretched their unbeaten run to 26 matches.

Vinicius Junior was kept most quiet during the match, but he did pick a yellow card in the 7th minute that will keep him out of the quarterfinal match with Uruguay due to accumulation.