That concludes our commentary of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier between Colombia and Brazil! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!
A lack of goals didn’t dampen the atmosphere in the ground as Colombia and Brazil play out a thrilling and exciting 0-0 draw in Barranquilla. The visitors came out of the second-half interval the better side, and had opportunities to take the lead – none better than Antony’s strike from six yards out which was dealt with expertly by Ospina. The Cafeteros for their part kept pace with the table toppers for the entire match, but their quality in the build-up was often let down by their inability to put the finishing touches on a move. Tite’s side drop points for the first time in qualification as a point takes them nine points ahead of second-place Argentina, while the draw keeps Colombia fifth for the moment.
A lack of goals didn’t dampen the atmosphere in the ground as Colombia and Brazil play out a thrilling and exciting 0-0 draw in Barranquilla. The visitors came out of the second-half interval the better side, and had opportunities to take the lead – none better than Antony’s strike from six yards out which was dealt with expertly by Ospina. The Cafeteros for their part kept pace with the table toppers for the entire match, but their quality in the build-up was often let down by their inability to put the finishing touches on a move. Tite’s side drop points for the first time in qualification as a point takes them nine points ahead of second-place Argentina, while the draw keeps Colombia fifth for the moment.
90′ + 5′ FULL-TIME: COLOMBIA 0-0 BRAZIL.
90′ + 4′ A last-minute chance is wasted by Borre, who receives Zapata’s pass and looks to curl a right-footed effort into the top corner – missing the target by quite some distance.
90′ + 3′ Antony is brought down by Medina ahead of the Brazil penalty area, as the winger tracks back to do his defensive duty.
90′ + 1′ Antony finds Raphinha with a simple pass in midfield but Mojica is able to get over to the winger and stop him in his tracks before he could get going down the right flank.
89′ The fourth official indicates four minutes will be added to the end of the 90 for stoppages.
87′ Zapata has a strike at goal from distance but it’s no trouble for Alisson, who stoops low to make a clean catch.
86′ FANTASTIC WORK FROM OSPINA! Raphinha’s inch-perfect pass finds Antony on the six-yard box, but his lunging effort from close-range is somehow parried at point-blank range by an in-form Ospina!
84′ A very poor pass from Sinisterra fails to find Borre to his right as Colombia waste a chance to trouble Alisson from the counter-attack.
82′ The Selecao are on course for their seventh clean sheet in eight World Cup qualification matches – with Tite’s side having conceded thrice in 10 matches.
80′ Neymar cuts inside from the left and rides two challenges before teeing up Paqueta – only for the Lyon midfielder to put a weak effort well-wide of the far post.
78′ Zapata’s turn inside the area allows him the space to put a cross into the penalty spot from the left, but the combination of Silva and Marquinhos gets the danger away.
76′ FANTASTIC STOP! Raphinha is allowed the time and space to set himself for a curling shot to the far post from 18 yards out, but a diving parry from Ospina keeps the match level!
74′ Feyenoord’s Sinisterra gets 16 minutes to make his mark, as Quintero is withdrawn.
74′ Rueda makes a couple more changes in response to Brazil. The first sees Atalanta’s Zapata sent on for Falcao.
Thiago Silva
Éder Militão
71′ A change at the back for Tite sees Silva sent on for Militao.
71′ The first of Brazil’s two changes with under 20 minutes to play sees Antony replace Jesus.
69′ A ball over the top finds Falcao, who puts the ball in the net but is called for a foul on Militao in the build-up. The striker appeared to apply a little too much force in the air on the defender – sending him to the ground in a heap.
67′ GREAT STRIKE! Quintero side-steps Fred with ease before dispatching a powerful strike from 25 yards out – forcing Alisson into a tough diving save.
65′ A player blessed with exceptional pace and technical ability, Raphinha will no doubt make his mark on the match. His debut for Brazil came three days ago as a half-time substitute against Venezuela, and he managed to notch a goal and an assist in the ensuing 45 minutes.
63′ A typical striker’s challenge, Borre goes through the leg of Sandro, bringing the full-back to the ground in a heap. It’s a yellow card for the Colombia substitute, just 10 minutes after his introduction.
61′ A change made just after the hour sees Gabi replaced by Leeds United’s Raphinha.
60′ Quintero drives at the Brazil defence but a heavy touch allows Marquinhos to step across and scramble the danger away – allowing his side to reorganise.
58′ Gabi receives a pass from Jesus on the edge of the penalty area and immediately sprays a cross to the far post for the run of Paqueta – but the ball is hit with too much power as it sails over the midfielder and out for a goal-kick.
56′ A mistimed jump from Barrios in midfield leads to a forearm in the face of Fred – forcing the referee to award Brazil a free-kick.
55′ Venezuela are currently leading 2-1 in their match against Ecuador, which could allow Colombia to jump into third place should they manage all three points against Brazil.
53′ Lerma is withdrawn just five minutes after picking up a yellow card, as Rueda sends Uribe on in his place.
53′ Colombia make a pair of changes seven minutes before the hour mark. The first of which is a straight swap in attack, as Borre replaces Martinez.
52′ Danilo looks to charge forward down the right before he’s stopped in his tracks illegally by Diaz, giving Brazil a free-kick within their own half.
50′ Militao’s great recovery run puts the centre-back in between Martinez and the ball near the Brazil 18-yard box, before winning it back cleanly and pushing it upfield.
48′ Lerma – who is not unfamiliar to a booking – is shown the first yellow card of the match for a foul on Neymar on the left wing.
46′ Colombia get the match restarted from the kick-off!
Colombia have a number of key names in attacking positions to call upon should they require some help up front, with Atalanta’s Zapata and Borre of Eintracht Frankfurt ready and willing to make a contribution. Brazil are always blessed with a deep and diverse talent pool, with Tite able to call upon a number of key players depending on how he would like to see out the match. With experienced defenders in the likes of Verissimo and Silva, as well as real pace on the wings in Antony and Raphinha – it’s sure to be an entertaining second half.
A thoroughly entertaining first half in Barranquilla comes to a close with both sides locked in a tight 0-0 duel. Both sides had their chances to open the scoring, with Mina’s misplaced header just four minutes in a real opportunity for the hosts to stake their claim. The link between Paqueta and Neymar has been evident all half, with the two combining for Brazil’s opportunity of the match; an effort which Paqueta sent narrowly wide with a sliding shot. A draw would suit Brazil better as group leaders – which should see Rueda’s side come forward with an increased intensity in the second.
45′ + 1′ HALF-TIME: COLOMBIA 0-0 BRAZIL.
44′ The fourth official indicates two minutes will be added to the end of the 90.
42′ Fabinho gets a rare sight at goal and attempts to fire a low strike from 25 yards out but Barrios’ enthusiastic block prevents the shot from finding Ospina, stopping it dead in its tracks instead.
40′ Medina fires in a cross from the right-hand side looking for Falcao but Alisson confidently steps off his line to make a simple catch.
38′ Brazil haven’t lost to Colombia in six years – since a Copa America meeting in 2015 won 1-0 by the Cafeteros thanks to Jeison Murillo’s 36th minute goal.
36′ Paqueta scoops a lovely pass up and over the defence for Neymar, who takes a touch to control the ball before losing possession to a well-placed Mina.
34′ Neymar looks to slip a pass through the defence for Gabi, but Mina reads the play superbly and intercepts the ball.
32′ Fred receives the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and attempts a left-footed strike to the far corner, but he gets his angles wrong and misses the target as Ospina gathers for a goal-kick.
30′ Martinez and Quintero stand over the deadball but it’s the latter’s left foot that strikes the ball looking to whip it into the near corner. The idea is a good one but the execution is wrong as the winger misses the target by a distance.
28′ Falcao is obstructed by Sandro just outside the penalty area – giving Colombia a chance to strike at goal from a free-kick on the right.
26′ Again Colombia are in possession as they look for a way to break down Brazil. Tite’s side are apparently very comfortable to soak up pressure and hit on the counter-attack, which almost came to fruition through Paqueta just over 10 minutes ago.
24′ Sandro’s quick throw-in is dummied intelligently by Neymar for the run of Paqueta, who gets onto the ball and fires a rushed cross to the far post which drifts wide for a goal-kick.
22′ Neymar’s deep corner is again hit in search of Marquinhos, but the Colombia defence is a well-drilled unit which looks up to the task of defending the Brazil set-pieces.
20′ GREAT DEFENDING FROM MARQUINHOS! Quintero bursts through midfield and plays a lovely curling pass with his weaker foot out to the left for Dias. The rapid winger looked to be through on goal but an incredible backtracking run from the Brazil captain stops the winger dead in his tracks as he wins possession back for the Selecao.
18′ Colombia are again in Brazil’s half as they look for a way to break down the structured visiting defence, but tight marking from Danilo and Marquinhos on the right force the Cafeteros back into their own half before coming again.
16′ Neymar’s corner looking for the head of Marquinhos is cleared away at the near post by Mojica – whose subsequent forward thrust wins his side a throw-in.
14′ BRAZIL GO JUST WIDE! Neymar drops back into a playmaking role, allowing Paqueta to run into the penalty area while the PSG forward holds onto possession 18 yards out. The run of the Lyon midfielder takes him between the centre-backs, but his diving first-time effort is put narrowly past the post and out for a goal-kick!
12′ Paqueta has a sight at goal from a good distance away but lines up a left-footed effort anyways in an attempt to test Ospina. It’s a comfortable save in the end though as it skips up conveniently.
10′ Martinez gets to the edge of the box and plays a low pass across the face of goal for Falcao, which puts Militao on high alert. The centre-back cuts across his target and wins the ball first and cleanly – before hoofing it upfield.
8′ Colombia are looking lively in the opening stages as they control possession and the tempo of the match. Brazil are only able to scramble the ball out for an opposition throw-in as they are failing to deal with Colombia’s switch of play to the wings.
6′ Alisson comes extremely far out of his penalty area to beat Martinez to the ball, dashing off his line before coolly claiming possession with his feet and making a pass out in front to Militao. The Liverpool keeper is exceptional as a ball-playing shot-stopper and he’ll look to spark forward movements for his side at every opportunity.
4′ GREAT CHANCE! Quintero plays a lovely pass over the top of the defence from the set-piece, but Mina is unable to turn his header on target as Alisson can watch the effort go wide.
3′ Barrios’ quick feet in midfield gets Fred in trouble as the Manchester United player mistimes his tackle and brings down the Colombia international. It’s a free-kick deep in midfield.
1′ Brazil get the match underway from the kick-off!
Brazil make a formation change, as well as four personnel changes from their 3-1 win over Venezuela, as Tite forsakes his familiar 4-4-2 for a 4-3-3. Sandro is back at left-back displacing Arana, while Militao replaces Chelsea’s Silva at centre-back. Fred gets the nod ahead of Gerson in midfield and in attack, the return of Neymar sees Ribeiro dropped to the bench.
Colombia make three changes to the XI that earned a 0-0 draw with Uruguay last time out. Lerma replaces Uribe in central midfield, while Juan Cuadrado’s unavailability means Quintero gets the start on the right wing. The final switch is in attack, where Martinez is preferred to Borre as Falcao’s strike partner.
BRAZIL SUBS: Ederson, Weverton, Emerson, Thiago Silva, Lucas Verissimo, Guilherme Arana, Edenilson, Everton Ribeiro, Antony, Raphinha.
BRAZIL XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Danilo, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro; Fred, Fabinho, Lucas Paqueta; Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Barbosa, Neymar Jr.
COLOMBIA SUBS: Camilo Vargas, Aldair Quintana, Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Eder Alvarez, William Tesillo, Gustavo Cuellar, Matias Uribe, Luis Sinisterra, Yerson Candelo, Duvan Zapata, Rafael Santos.
COLOMBIA XI (4-4-2): David Ospina; Johan Mojica, Carlos Cuesta, Yerry Mina, John Medina; Luis Diaz, Jefferson Lerma, Wilmar Barrios, Juan Quintero; Radamel Falcao, Roger Martinez.
With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at the team news – starting with our hosts!
Brazil have put their Copa America disappointment behind them as they continue their 100% qualifying campaign, with the Selecao winning nine of their first nine matches. Tite’s side faced a tough test last time out against a determined and effective Venezuela, managing a 3-1 victory despite the absence of key figures in Neymar and Casemiro. With the former seemingly back in action today, Colombia will be in for a stern test defensively.
Currently occupying fifth place, Colombia are in position for an inter-federation play-off as things stand. Two points removed from an automatic qualification spot, coach Reinaldo Rueda will be hoping for a similar performance as last time, when the Cafeteros pushed Brazil all the way and made life extremely difficult for the table toppers, only to lose to a 100th minute Casemiro strike. Luis Diaz will once again be the main threat for Colombia, with the Porto winger netting three times in his last five international appearances.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier between Colombia and Brazil!
L. Sinisterra
J. Quintero