BRAZIL have advanced to the Copa America quarter-final stage with a controversial victory over Colombia.
The Tricolor opened the scoring with a stunning overhead kick by Luis Diaz but the Selecao equalised with a questionable goal by Roberto Firmino before Casemiro’s winner in the final minute of stoppage time.
THAT’S ALL FROM RIO
Brazil punched their ticket to Copa America’s quarter-finals after a controversial victory over Colombia at the Olympic Stadium.
Referee Nestor Pitana became an unlikely protagonist in this crucial encounter as he refused to halt the game after the ball hit him in the build-up to the Selecao’s equaliser.
The Tricolor opened the scoring after just 10 minutes with what could be the goal of the tournament by Luis Diaz.
Juventus star Juan Cuadrado delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank and found Diaz, who hit the back of the net with a stunning overhead kick that gave Weverton absolutely no chance.
Brazil struggled throughout the match to threaten Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina, who equalled Carlos Valderrama’s record of 111 caps.
Neymar came close after 66 minutes when he picked up a lovely pass by Roberto Firmino inside the area and dribbled past Ospina but sent the ball to the right-hand post in front of open goal from a tight angle.
However, Tite’s men got their equaliser on 78 minutes when Renan Lodi’s cross from the left set Firmino up for the header that the Colombia goalkeeper failed to hold on to.
The Colombians were incensed with referee Pitana as he refused to award a dropped ball after making contact in the build-up.
The ensuing fracas between the official and Reinaldo Rueda’s men led to 10 minutes of stoppage time, which made things worse for the complainants.
Brazil turned things around in the final minute of the game when Neymar picked up an unmarked Casemiro from a corner-kick and the Real Madrid star headed the ball to the back of the net.
The Selecao have sealed first place in Group B and are now set for a favourable draw in the quarter-finals after Sunday’s final group-stage match with Ecuador.
Colombia are second but will have to wait on the final round of fixtures that will determine their fate in the tournament.
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GETTY IMAGES UPDATED TABLE
Brazil have sealed first place in Group B and are set for a favourable draw in the quarter-finals.
The Selecao have won all three of their matches so far and are set for a final encounter in the group stage against Ecuador.
Colombia, on the other hand, are second, and will have to wait for the final round of fixtures to determine their fate.
More below:
STATS
Brazil dominated a whopping 70 per cent of possession throughout the encounter.
The Selecao also produced a total of 15 shots, but only a mere four of them were on target.
Colombia, on the other hand, registered only three shots, two of which were on target.
Tite’s men were superior but needed to wait until the 10th minute of stoppage time to win with Casemiro’s header:
FT: BRAZIL 2-1 COLOMBIA
Brazil punched their ticket to Copa America’s quarter-finals after a controversial victory over Colombia at the Olympic Stadium.
The Tricolor opened the scoring after just 10 minutes with what could be the goal of the tournament by Luis Diaz.
Juventus star Juan Cuadrado delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank and found Diaz, who hit the back of the net with a stunning overhead kick that gave Weverton absolutely no chance.
Brazil struggled throughout the match to threaten Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina, who equalled Carlos Valderrama’s record of 111 caps.
Neymar came close after 66 minutes when he picked up a ball by Roberto Firmino inside the area and dribbled past Ospina but sent the ball to the right-hand post in front of open goal from a tight angle.
However, the Selecao got the equaliser on 78 minutes when Renan Lodi’s cross from the left set Firmino up for the header that the Colombia goalkeeper failed to hold on to.
The Colombians passionately complained after the goal as the ball hit the referee, who then refused to award a dropped ball as expected.
Brazil then turned things around in the 10th minute of stoppage time when Neymar picked up an unmarked Casemiro from a corner-kick and the Real Madrid star headed the ball to the back of the net
GETTY IMAGES PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S IT IN RIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BRAZIL 2-1 COLOMBIA
90+11 YELLOW CARD
Colombia ace Cuellar gets booked for a rough challenge from behind on Neymar
BRAZIL 2-1 COLOMBIA
90+10 Neymar delivers a wonderful corner-kick from the right side and finds Casemiro completely unmarked in the area and the Brazil star beats Ospina with a clinical header!
Terrible defending there by Colombia, who had been solid throughout the game…
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!
BRAZIL TURN THINGS AROUND WITH CASEMIRO!!!!!!!
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
90+9 CHANCE!
Neymar sets Danilo up in the area but his shot is blocked and goes out for a corner-kick.
Barrios gets booked with a yellow card after a shoulder tackle on the PSG superstar in the build-up
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
90+7 Neymar tries a long ball in the area but it goes straight to Ospina.
Colombia are trying to let time go by in order to protect the result
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
90+4 YELLOW CARD
We just noticed that Ospina got booked for dissent following Firmino’s equaliser a few minutes ago
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
90+3 Here’s how Brazil equalised with Firmino.
However, the clip doesn’t show the ball hitting the referee before it reached Lodi down the left flank
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
90 Referee has given 10 more minutes of stoppage time to go.
This comes after Colombia’s complaints following Brazil’s controversial equaliser
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
90 SUBSTITUTION
Colombia manager Rueda makes a change ahead of stoppage time as Murillo replaces Diaz
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
89 CHANCE!
Colombia show some teeth as Borja gets a header in the area but the ball goes straight to Weverton’s arms
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
89 Brazil equalised with Firmino after the ball bounced off the referee, who refused to pause the game.
That led to intense protests by Colombia
GETY IMAGES GETTY IMAGES BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
88 RED CARD
Referee has showed the red card to someone from Colombia’s bench.
Can’t see who that is, but it doesn’t look like it is manager Rueda
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
87 CHANCE
Colombia play quickly after Neymar’s foul and Diaz tries a low cross from the left flank that is blocked by Marquinhos in the area
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
87 YELLOW CARD
Neymar gets booked for an elbow on Barios but an already enraged Colombia side are asking for a red card!
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
85 After a long interruption, the game has finally restarted but Colombia are still frustrated with the referee.
In the meantime, check Neymar’s unbelievable missed chance earlier on in the match:
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
83 The game has yet to restart as Colombia continue to complain, and quite rightfully so.
Neymar is asking for a yellow card on the players who are objecting his decision.
Ospina refuses to return to his net
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
81 The goal stands but the Colombians continue to complain!
Have to say, Colombia have a point there. When the ball hits the referee the play needs to stop.
The official was even ready to blow his whistle but ultimately allowed the game to continue
BRAZIL 1-1 COLOMBIA
78 Brazil finally get their equaliser as Lodi delivers a beautiful cross from the left and finds Firmino in the area who heads it past Ospina that fails to hold on to the ball.
Colombia are passionately objecting as the ball hit the referee before it reached Lodi down the left flank.
They claim he should have paused the game and awarded a dropped ball, as it’s expected; the official is now speaking with VAR
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!
BRAZIL EQUALISE WITH FIRMINO!!!!!!!!!!!
BRAZIL 0-1 COLOMBIA
77 SUBSTITUTION
Brazil manager Tite makes some switches as he introduces Everton and Barbosa, who replace Jesus and Richarlison respectively
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
