Colombia came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Brazil on Tuesday, ensuring their qualification for the Copa America quarterfinals as group winners.
Colombia grabbed a share of the spoils with a Daniel Munoz equalizer in first-half stoppage time, while Rafinha put Brazil ahead with a superb 12th-minute free-kick at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The result advances Colombia to the knockout rounds as the winners of Group D, where they will face group runners-up Panama in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Brazil will face a titanic showdown against arch-rivals Uruguay in Las Vegas on Saturday, after Uruguay topped Group D with a perfect record.
Brazil's goalscorer Raphinha remained optimistic about the upcoming match against Uruguay.
"Our team is evolving with each game and with each training session, and we think we are on the right track," Rafinha said. "Unfortunately, it wasn't the result we wanted and it wasn't the position we wanted to be in heading into the quarter finals. But whoever wants to be champion shouldn't worry about who they play in the next round; we have to be prepared for anyone. If we want to win this competition, we have to be prepared to play our best."
Brazil will head into the quarterfinals without Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr., who received his second yellow card of the tournament for a reckless early foul on James Rodriguez on Tuesday. Colombia's playmaker Rodriguez caused early alarm for Brazil fans with a free-kick that clipped the top of the bar, with goalkeeper Alisson beaten.
Despite Colombia's strong start, Brazil took the lead after 12 minutes, with Rafinha curling a sensational free-kick into the top corner. Colombia continued to threaten, with Rodriguez volleying over the bar after 16 minutes and later setting up a goal for Davinson Sanchez, which was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Midway through the first half, tempers flared, resulting in three yellow cards in quick succession for Colombia's Deiver Machado and Jefferson Lerma, along with Brazil's Joao Gomes. Colombia's assured play was rewarded in stoppage time when Crystal Palace wing-back Muñoz blasted home after a superb pass from veteran forward Jhon Cordoba.
Colombia, now unbeaten in 26 international games since a defeat to Argentina in early 2022, looked comfortable throughout the second half. They should have secured victory in the final minutes, but substitute Rafael Borre missed a clear chance, shooting over from eight yards with the goal wide open.
In Tuesday's Group D play, Costa Rica beat Paraguay 2-1 in Austin to secure third place.
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