Brazil drew 1-1 with Colombia on Wednesday night in California, with goals from Raphinha and Muñoz, and finished second in Group D. As a result, they will face Uruguay, winners of Group C, on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT) in Las Vegas in the Copa América quarterfinals.
Brazil did not play well, and the players acknowledged the difficulties against an opponent that has now gone 26 games unbeaten. Center back Marquinhos, one of the most experienced players in the squad, discussed the team’s struggles against Colombia and highlighted the rivals’ chemistry.
- “We lacked control of the game. We didn’t keep the ball much. We made little progress with the ball. We had trouble breaking lines. We faced a very good Colombia side, with great chemistry, that hasn’t lost in a long time. We have a lot of room to grow, and we have to be honest with ourselves, especially in these bigger games, we need to have more of the ball. We sped up play too often and lost control of the game. We have to analyze it carefully. We qualified, a bit harder since it was in second place, we’ll face a great team in the next round, and we move forward,” Marquinhos said.
Forward Raphinha, who scored a stunning free kick early in the game, also pointed to the Colombians’ long time together as an advantage over Brazil. But he sees the Brazilian team improving over the course of the Copa América.
- “They’ve been working with this group much longer than we have, and their coach has also been there longer than Dorival. They have much more chemistry, but that doesn’t change the fact that our team is improving with every game, every training session. And I think we’re on the right track. It wasn’t the result we wanted, it wasn’t the position we wanted to qualify in, but if you want to be champion, you can’t pick your opponent for the next round. We have to be ready for whatever comes. If we want to win this competition, we have to be ready and give our best,” Raphinha said.
A major absence
Forward Vini Jr., a contender for best player in the world who loudly appealed for a penalty in the second half, is suspended for the game against Uruguay. He will miss Saturday’s game in Las Vegas. Brazil’s players lamented his absence but backed the reserves for the next game.
One of the candidates to play is Endrick, who again came on in the second half. But he preferred not to risk predicting the lineup for the next game.
- “It’s very hard (to replace him) because it’s Vini. Being without him is very hard. But all 26 players who came can play, they’re ready. No matter who comes into the game, they’ll always give their best,” said Real Madrid’s newest signing.
Brazil captain Danilo also lamented Vini Jr.’s absence.
- “Vini is a star, a player we count on so much and who can win games for us. But we lean on the group, we have other players with a lot of quality and a lot of potential. And we’ll try in some way to make up for Vini’s absence and make sure we can beat Uruguay,” the right back said.
