Instead, Brazil moved to second spot behind Argentina after Vinicius Júnior’s long-range goal. “This was very important, we deserved to win. I deserved this goal too for all I have worked for,” Vinicius Júnior said of his first goal in this qualifying tournament. Both teams struggled with accuracy in the second half until Vinicius Júnior took a shot from long distance which deflected off Jefferson Lerma and beat goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. Instead, Brazil moved to second spot behind Argentina after Vinicius Júnior’s long-range goal.
Still, they’re looking good for automatic qualification and with Duran, Diaz and 1win casino James in attack, they are very dangerous and have a great mix of speed, trickery and power. Defensively they have plenty of experience and they will dig in and make this very tough for Brazil and look to the likes of Diaz to create chances on the counter. Colombia are at home against Paraguay after this game and know two positive results will go a long way in booking their ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Paraguay remained unbeaten under coach Gustavo Alfaro with a tense 1-0 win over Chile in front of raucous fans in Asuncion. The hosts dominated most of the match and maintained pressure on their rivals, who could barely create scoring opportunities.
As for Colombia, well, they’re one point and one place above Brazil in the table and are looking good to qualify for their first World Cup since 2018 as they missed out making it to Qatar in 2022. Liverpool forward Luis Diaz is their undisputed star in attack, while Colombia have a lovely balance of youth and experience in their squad. Veterans David Ospina, James Rodriguez and Yerry Mina are still leading the way, while Jhon Duran, Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez and Jefferson Lerma are all names Premier League fans know well. Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad has 25 points after 12 games — four points clear of Brazil (21 points from 13 games) — and is close to securing its place in the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad has 25 points after 12 games – four points clear of Brazil (21 points from 13 games) — and is close to securing its place in the 2026 World Cup. Raphinha had put Brazil ahead from the penalty spot very early in the game, but Luis Diaz delivered an equalizer before the break.
SAO PAULO (AP) — A last-minute goal by Vinicius Júnior secured Brazil’s 2-1 win over Colombia in World Cup qualifying on Thursday, helping his team and millions of fans avoid more disappointment. Brazil appeared more energized than in previous games, with speed, high skill and an early goal from the spot suggesting that coach Dorival Júnior had found a starting lineup to get the job done. A last-minute goal by Vinícius Júnior secured Brazil’s 2-1 win over Colombia in World Cup qualifying on Thursday, helping his team and millions of fans avoid more disappointment. Los Cafeteros were going really well early in qualifying but three defeats in their last four games has seen them drop down the standings.
Brazil will be hoping to get at least four points from their games against Colombia and Argentina in this window to cement themselves in the automatic qualification spots. They need the trio of Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha to deliver in attack to get them over the line. Raphinha scored in the sixth minute after Vinicius Júnior was fouled in the penalty box. After that, Brazil kept possession, but didn’t put on real pressure to add a second in front of 70,000 fans. Raphinha scored in the 6th minute after Vinicius Júnior was fouled in the penalty box. After that, Brazil kept possession, but didn’t put on real pressure to add a second in front of 70,000 fans.
Dorival Junior’s side have won just five of their 12 CONMEBOL qualifiers so far, as they have a five-point cushion over seventh-place. Only the top six teams from South American qualifying reach the 2026 World Cup automatically. Neymar was recalled for this window following his return to Santos but has since pulled out of the squad due to another injury, so the likes of Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Raphinha will once again lead the attack. With Alisson in goal, Gabriel at center back, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Matheus Cunha in midfield, there are so many familiar faces for Premier League fans with nine PL players in this 23-man Brazil squad. But Dorival Junior has gone for plenty of new names in this window with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo hoping to win his first cap at center back, plus Brighton’s Joao Pedro is in line to add to his two caps. Wolves duo Andre and Matheus Cunha could line up alongside Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton in midfield as there is a heavy Premier League feel to this squad.
Brazil’s 21 points are now good for second on the table, eight more than seventh-place Bolivia with five matches each to play. The top-six teams in CONMEBOL automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the seventh will play in the inter-confederation playoffs. Brazil’s murky qualifying run for the 2026 World Cup got a late and big lift on Thursday, when Vinicius Junior’s goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time boosted the hosts to a 2-1 win over Colombia. Bolivia remains in seventh place with 13 points, which keeps the team in contention for inter-continental playoffs for World Cup spots.
Colombia equalized with a crossed shot by Luis Díaz in the 41st after substitute Joeliton, who replaced 1win casino injured Gerson, lost the ball at the edge of Brazil’s box.
Colombia equalized with a crossed shot by Luis Diaz in the 41st, assisted by James Rodríguez. The visitors got the ball at the edge of Brazil’s box from substitute Joeliton, who replaced injured Gerson. Goalkeeper Alisson and Colombian defender Davinson Sánchez were substituted in the concussion protocol, and will also miss the next match in World Cup qualifying. Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimarães and defender Gabriel Magalhães were booked against Colombia and will miss the match in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. Jefferson Lerma quickly gets the ball to his captain James Rodriguez, who gets another assist when he sets up Liverpool star Luis Diaz for a fine finish from the left of the Brazil box. There were 10 minutes stoppage time declared thanks to a long injury lay-off, and Brazil make the most of it.
