Brazil is not in the best position in the World Cup qualifiers, making every match crucial for the Selecao. In their first match of the year, Brazil faced Colombia and secured a thrilling 2-1 victory, thanks to a last-minute goal by Vinicius Junior. This victory has also given Brazil a significant boost in the points table.
On Saturday (March 21) morning, Brazil won 2-1 at home. Rafinha put Brazil ahead early on, but Colombia's Luis Diaz equalized. In the 99th minute, Vinicius scored the match-winner.
The match started with Rafinha converting a penalty in the sixth minute, giving Brazil the lead. The penalty was awarded after Colombia’s Daniel Munoz fouled Vinicius inside the box. Eight minutes later, Rodrygo's cross-shot went wide of the far post.
In the 27th minute, Gerson had to be substituted due to injury, with Joelinton coming on. In the 40th minute, a shot by Brazil's midfielder was blocked by a Colombian defender. James Rodriguez intercepted the ball, and Luis Diaz found the net with a cross-shot, leveling the score before halftime.
In the second half, Vinicius had a chance in the 47th minute, but his cross-shot was saved by Colombia's goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. Six minutes later, Vargas made a double save, denying both Rafinha and Vinicius.
In the 63rd minute, Rodrygo's free kick was deflected high by Davinson Sanchez, and Brazil's goalkeeper Alisson Becker had to punch it away. The ball didn’t go far, hitting a Brazilian player, but the goal was disallowed after a foul by Colombia's Jefferson Lerma on Alisson.
In the 71st minute, a collision between Alisson and Sanchez left both players temporarily injured. Alisson was unable to continue and was replaced by Bento in goal.
In added time, Brazil's defender Guilherme Arana hit the post while attempting a header and was injured. Shortly after, Vinicius sealed the win with a long-range cross-shot that the goalkeeper couldn't reach.
This last-minute goal allowed Brazil to jump to second place in the points table with 21 points from 13 matches. Colombia, with 19 points from the same number of matches, dropped to sixth. Argentina leads with 25 points from 12 matches, while Uruguay, with 20 points, sits in third place.
