The top spot in the Copa America 2024 Group D will be on the line when Brazil and Colombia meet at Levi’s Stadium.
The curtains will fall on the first round of Copa America 2024 this midweek, with the knockout phase kicking off later this week. The final group-stage fixture has the makings to be a blockbuster, with Brazil and Colombia locking horns at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco.
Brazil would have hoped for a return to dominant ways after Dorival Junior became the new head coach. However, they have blown hot and cold thus far under the new management’s reign, with the two results at the 2024 Copa America encapsulating that. The Selecao started with a goalless draw with Costa Rica before cruising to a 4-1 win over Paraguay.
As for Colombia, they have made considerable progress under the tutelage of Nestor Lorenzo. The Argentine tactician has yet to lose a game as Colombia’s head coach, overseeing 17 wins in 22 outings thus far (D5). The Cafeteros have a perfect record at the 2024 Copa America, beating Paraguay 2-1 and Costa Rica 3-0 in the first two games.
The most recent clash featuring Brazil and Colombia saw the latter come from a goal down to clinch a 2-1 win in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, with Luis Diaz scoring a match-winning brace. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Brazil
Dorival Junior does not have a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Colombia, Brazil’s head coach will have a full-strength squad, although he will have an eye on the suspension scenario.
Eder Militao, Wendell, and Vinicius Junior are walking the suspension tightrope, with the trio only one booking away from incurring a one-match ban. So, we might see a few rotations at Levi’s Stadium.
Alisson Becker will retain his usual spot between the sticks, with Brazil lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Colombia. The backline should feature Danilo, Lucas Beraldo, Marquinhos, and Guilherme Arana, with Militao and Wendell dropping to the bench.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Bruno Guimaraes and Douglas Luiz, with the latter returning to the starting eleven after Joao Gomes replaced him against Paraguay. Finally, Rodrygo should lead the line for Brazil, with Vinicius Junior, Savinho, and Andreas Pereira joining him in the offensive trifecta. So, Raphinha will again be an option on the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Danilo, Beraldo, Marquinhos, Arana; Guimaraes, Luiz; Savinho, Pereira, Vinicius; Rodrygo
Colombia
Like his counterpart in the Brazilian dugout, Nestor Lorenzo does not have any new issues to deal with ahead of the trip to Levi’s Stadium. Colombia’s head coach will have a fully-fit squad at his disposal this midweek.
However, like Dorival Junior, Lorenzo is sweating over a potential suspension for a few players. Jefferson Lerma, Richard Rios and Jhon Cordoba are currently on one yellow card and will miss the next game if they pick up a booking against Brazil. So, Lorenzo might also rotate his troops.
Camilo Vargas will get the nod over David Ospina between the sticks, with Colombia lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him against Brazil. The backline should feature Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Carlos Cuesta, and Deiver Machado.
As for the midfield unit, Mateus Uribe will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park, with Kevin Castano and Jhon Arias joining him in the middle of the park. Finally, Jhon Duran should spearhead the Colombian attack against Brazil, with Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez completing the numbers in the offensive trifecta.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Cuesta, Machado; Castano, Uribe, Arias; James Rodriguez, Duran, Diaz
Key Stats
- Brazil and Colombia have faced each other 36 times, with the Selecao having the superior head-to-head record with 21 wins (D11 L4).
- However, Colombia overturned a seven-match winless run against Brazil to win the most recent fixture 2-1 last year.
- Brazil are unbeaten in their most recent nine matches in the group stages of the Copa America, their second-longest such streak in the competition’s history.
- Colombia have scored five goals in their first two games in the 2024 Copa America, their highest tally at this stage since 1997.
- Nestor Lorenzo is unbeaten as Colombia’s head coach, winning 17 of the 22 games he has overseen thus far (D5).
Player to Watch
Rodrygo Goes
Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez will be under the spotlight for Colombia. Meanwhile, Savinho will aim to make his mark in the second successive game after scoring a goal against Paraguay. However, we have picked Rodrygo Goes in this section.
The Real Madrid attacker enjoyed an excellent 2023/24 campaign, playing his part in Los Blancos’ dominance in La Liga and UEFA Champions League. However, his future is uncertain amid relentless transfer links. Rodrygo has not done himself any favours either after failing to score thus far at the 2024 Copa America and will be eager to get off the mark this midweek.
Prediction
Brazil 1-1 Colombia
Several crucial players on both sides are walking the suspension tightrope heading into the game at Levi’s Stadium this week. So, we might see Brazil and Colombia take their feet off the pedal slightly, with progress to the knockout phase almost certain (certain for Colombia).
However, Brazil will be eager to top Group D and take the game to Colombia, which might play into Los Cafeteros’ hands. But with both teams having solid defensive units, there might not be much to separate them at the full-time whistle. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw between the two South American powerhouses.