No single option is perfect. Rodrygo doesn’t offer the same speed and penetration as Vinicius out wide. Martinelli is out of form. Pepe is untested. Savio is left-footed, so that would require a rejig of Brazil’s attacking patterns. Decisions, decisions, decisions…
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Brazil 1-1 Colombia takeaways: Uruguay awaits Brazil, Colombia tops Group D
On the money. Every time.
There’s something the way James Rodriguez floats in a set piece – strolling up the ball, flicking his foot to send it spinning towards the six-yard box, but hanging it in the air just long enough to keep the goalkeeper at bay – that makes it incredibly hard to resist.
He has created seven chances from set pieces already at the Copa America; only three players have created more opportunities of any kind, full-stop. And he would have had a third dead-ball assist in an enthralling first half against Brazil if it weren’t for the ruthless geometry of VAR. You’ll often see him trotting from one side of the pitch to the other to take consecutive corners, but the fans are happy to wait.
There’s variety in Rodriguez’s set-piece armoury too. After eight minutes, the 32-year-old sent a wicked free kick careering towards goal, only for it to glance off the crossbar and out of play. It’s a shame it was overshadowed by Raphinha’s effort barely five minutes on.
Then, from a crossing position, he suddenly switches technique; quickly closing his body to try to catch Alisson out. Of course, he very nearly did.
Even if he has lost a yard of pace, Rodriguez always feels like he’s a step ahead. Drifting around behind the two strikers – doing, essentially, whatever he likes – he makes this excellent Colombia side tick.
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Brazil 1-1 Colombia takeaways: Uruguay awaits Brazil, Colombia tops Group D
We’ve been waiting for a game like this at the Copa America – two heavyweights going head to head – and it didn’t disappoint. It was edge-of-the-seat stuff from the first minute – breathless, intense and played like a knockout tie.
The game wasn’t always pretty – 17 fouls and four yellow cards in the first half alone – but that didn’t take anything away from a spectacle that was lit up by an outstanding Raphinha free kick to give Brazil the lead. Colombia were still in the dressing room – Nestor Lorenzo’s side caught cold by Brazil’s electric start. That Colombia responded so well said everything their quality as well as their resilience. It’s 26 games unbeaten now.
In that respect the game lived up to the hype – both teams had chances to snatch victory in the dying minutes – and there’s every possibility that we’ll be treated to a rematch in the semifinals, given the way the draw works. Few neutrals will complain if that turns out to be the case.
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Brazil 1-1 Colombia takeaways: Uruguay awaits Brazil, Colombia tops Group D
All four of the teams that finished as group winners at Copa America – Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay and Colombia – are coached by an Argentine.
Felipe Cardenas dove into this pattern at the outset of the tournament, check out his report below to .
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Why are so many of the coaches at Copa America from Argentina?
After the match, Colombia manager Néstor Lorenzo spoke Jefferson Lerma's yellow card that leaves him suspended for the quarterfinal: "Lerma's yellow card could have been avoided. It's something that we've talked a lot, a lot with the team. It's the bitter note we take from today. There are instinctive reactions that we have to control in a different way."
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Late tackles, cynical fouls and winding players up: ‘Unbelievable’ Lerma’s 17 yellow cards dissected
Fifteen percent of Brazil's passes tonight were long balls, the highest share for the team in a match since March 2015 when they recorded 18 percent in a friendly against Chile.
We'll have live coverage of all the Copa America knockout matches right here on The Athletic!
Opta
Brazil 1-1 Colombia
Brazil are now unbeaten in their past 10 Copa America group-stage matches, dating back to the beginning of the 2019 edition of the tournament.
That matches the longest unbeaten run in Copa America group matches in Brazilian history, set from 1993 to 1999.
Colombia's unbeaten run that began in February 2022 now stands at 26 matches, comprised of 20 wins and six draws.
While they were perfectly happy to accept a draw tonight, failing to win does mean they have missed out on the opportunity to record consecutive victories against Brazil for the first time ever.
Both Brazil and Colombia had a player pick up their second booking of the tournament tonight.
Vinicius Junior and Jefferson Lerma will both be unavailable for their teams' respective quarterfinals as they serve one-match suspensions.
You'd back Colombia to beat Panama without Lerma, but Brazil will sorely miss Vinicius Jr when they face Uruguay...
And so with the group stage coming to an end, our knockout bracket is set.
Brazil vs Uruguay is the clear standout match of the quarterfinals, what a game that will be on Saturday in Nevada!
The difference at the top of Group D ultimately proves to be Brazil's goalless draw with Costa Rica. Colombia prevailed where Brazil didn't and so it's them who finish in first place.
Jack Lang, Stu James and Thom Harris have brought us their takeaways from tonight's match at Levi's Stadium, including:
Follow the link below to check out their breakdown!
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Brazil 1-1 Colombia takeaways: Uruguay awaits Brazil, Colombia tops Group D
Brazil have failed to build on the good momentum generated by their big win in the second match against Paraguay. Their performance tonight was more similar to their first match when they were shut out by Costa Rica, albeit against a much stronger opponent.
Uruguay await them... and without Vinicius Jr, who is suspended. The tournament is not looking good for Dorival Junior's side.
The way that Colombia responded after a really poor start – Brazil deserved their early lead – says everything the belief in their squad. Their long unbeaten run goes on (26 matches and counting) and, crucially, they've topped the group and avoided a quarterfinal against Uruguay.
