Brazil’s possible rivals in the Copa América quarterfinals

Brazil are set to take on their final opponent in the Group Stage of the Copa América: Colombia (Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Kick-off 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.). Tension, despite the positive position that the Canarinha find themselves in, is high, as Colombia are an old foe with new tricks up their sleeves.

Néstor Lorenzo’s side will present a big challenge for the team in yellow but the grand scheme of the Copa América is a wholly positive look: they are almost guaranteed a place in the next round of the tournament and only a freak show on two pitches would see them tumble out at this point.

Is Brazil eliminated from the Copa América if they lose against Colombia?

Yes, although that scenario is exceedingly unlikely. Not because Colombia don’t have the talent to beat them - they do - but the other group game would need to provide a frankly shocking result to knock Brazil out. Costa Rica are taking on Paraguay and a win for the former would put them level on points with Dorival Júnior’s side, but a 7-goal swing is needed for the group order to change.

That means 7 goals have to go Costa Rica’s way, which could be anything from a 1-0 Colombia win paired with a 6-0 Costa Rica win, or anything in between. Impossible. Basically, Brazil’s goal difference needs to drop to a lower amount than Costa Rica’s: it can’t end level as then Costa Rica will have scored less goals than Brazil (4), the next tiebreaker on the list.

Who could Brazil face in the next round of the Copa América?

So, we expect Brazil to qualify for the next stage, but who could they face? A win against Colombia would put Brazil top and they would play Panama in the next round, who came second in Group C. However, a slightly scarier prospect awaits them should they fail to win against Lorenzo’s side: Uruguay.

Marcelo Bielsa awaits the second placed team in Group D, and that is surely something that just about everyone with two eyes and one brain in between wants to avoid. Bielsa’s side look rampant at the moment and have beaten just about every team up and down the continent, with fast, free-flowing football proving too much for every opponent they face.

A win may not be crucial for Brazil to qualify for the next round of the Copa América, but it is if the players and staff don’t want the 215 million residents of the country to have bad dreams about 11 Uruguayans and a mad man with a box. The game between Brazil and Colombia will be played on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Kick-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.