Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Colombia set up a mouthwatering Copa America quarter-final against Uruguay but they will face Marcelo Bielsa’s men without star winger Vinicius Jr.
Brazil went into their final Group D game knowing they had to beat Colombia to top the pool and avoid a clash with a Uruguay side who have a 100 per cent record in the Copa and overcame them in World Cup qualifying in October.
They didn’t get off to the best start when Vinicius Jr was booked within seven minutes – his second yellow of the competition – but they did take the lead five minutes later when Raphinha curled a free-kick into the top corner.
Daniel Munoz levelled in first-half stoppage time to earn Colombia a point their performance deserved.
Brazil now head to Las Vegas to face Uruguay without Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr, who will serve a one-game suspension.
Dorival Jr said: “Unfortunately, we have already lost a key player like Neymar for a long time.
“And we have to learn that in certain moments, we will not have important players in a game. Others will have to step up. And I think that is the way. We will have a difficult game against Uruguay.”
Se vienen los Cuartos de Final de la CONMEBOL Copa América™ ✨ pic.twitter.com/nTf5m7Yh9b
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 3, 2024
Dorival Jr took over in January and believes performances like the one against Colombia, in which Brazil lacked real fluency, are part of the journey in his bid to return them to the top of the world game.
“It’s a process, nobody skips stages, you don’t get from A to F without going through B,” he added.
“There will be matches like Costa Rica [a 0-0 draw] , good moments like Paraguay [a 4-1 win], not so good against Colombia. I hope the team continues to grow in the basics, just as we’ll fluctuate in others. The results will show us mistakes, successes and flaws.
“It’s natural in the formation of any group. We’ve had some great days of preparation, but not enough for us to have a team that has all the details nailed down and doesn’t suffer at any time.”
Colombia look a more cohesive unit having stretched their unbeaten run to 26 games.
Coach Nestor Lorenzo was satisfied with his side’s efforts.
“We know that we are in a good moment as a team and we know that we are growing. But it’s not easy,” he said.
“Brazil have great players. They play very well. You cannot neglect the team for a second and I think we played a great game.
“We did not win but, whatever the result, my feeling would have been the same. I am satisfied because the team gave a little more and it was difficult to play a rival like Brazil.”
