Colombia - Brazil summary: score, goals, highlights, CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers
Colombia vs Brazil as it happened: Díaz double wins it for hosts
Full time: Colombia 2-1 Brazil
What a story. Just a matter of days after Luis Díaz’s father, Luis Manuel Díaz, was released after being held hostage for 13 days by the ELN guerrilla, the Liverpool forward scores both goals as his country seal a famous win over Brazil. The kind of script you just can’t write. An emotional night for Díaz, for the Colombian team and indeed everyone in the ground and watching at home.
After the visitors had made a rapid start, taking the lead through Gabriel Martinelli’s excellent second-minute goal, the hosts began to take control of the game and Díaz was at the heart of their good play, a constant menace to the Brazilian defence.
It looked, however, as if it wasn’t going to be his night, especially after some wasted opportunities in the second period. His persistence and determination paid off, though, with two headed goals coming within in four minutes of one another.
Just reward for a Colombian performance full of intensity and energy, which Brazil just couldn’t handle. Another bad night for Fernando Diniz and his team, who lost Real Madrid to injury before the half-hour mark.
Luis Manuel Díaz celebrates Luis Díaz's Colombia goals
It only seems right, however, that I leave you with this moving clip of Luis Manuel Díaz, recently released after being kidnapped for 13 days by the ELN guerrilla in Colombia, celebrating wildly in the stands as his son scores twice to help his country secure a famous victory. Soccer can be an emotional sport at the best of times, but this is on another level. We can only imagine how he must be feeling right now.
Scenes we love to see.
Luckily for Brazil, they should have plenty of margin for error during the qualification campaign for World Cup 2026. Which is good for them, but takes away some of the jeopardy for the top nations.
How the table looks: Brazil
Oh dear, we can't even see the top two in this little snapshot of the table. After winning their opening two qualifiers, that's now just one point from a possible nine for Brazil in their next three games. Argentina up next...
T | MP | W | D | L | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
4 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
5 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
7 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
How the table looks: Colombia
What does it all mean for Colombia? Well, they have leapfrogged Brazil and have moved into third spot in the standings. And as a result of Argentina's loss (spoiler alert), they are now only three points off first place and the only undefeated team in qualification.
T | MP | W | D | L | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
2 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
3 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
4 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
5 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
There was something of a surprise result elsewhere in South America today, which I'll invite you to check out for yourselves rather than spoiling it for you myself.
What next for Colombia and Brazil?
Colombia are now unbeaten in 13 games under Lorenzo and will defend their streak away to Paraguay on Tuesday next week.
Brazil, meanwhile, face a mouthwatering clash at home to World Cup holders Argentina on the same day, which they could really do with getting a result in considering their current form.
Brazil are really not in a good place right now. They've now taken only one point from the last nine.
Full time: Colombia 2-1 Brazil
And that's it! What a turnaround and what a story! Luis Díaz is the matchwinner!
Brazil are passing the ball about and going absolutely nowhere...
Comedy capers near the goal line as Martinelli tries to put Vargas under pressure but is prevented from doing so by Sánchez, who makes a meal of contact between the two. Either way, the Colombia keeper gets his hands on it.
Colombia almost leave the back door wide open for Martinelli to waltz right through, but the attacker can't quite take the ball in his stride when it looked as if he might have a clear run through on goal. Incredible "defending" from a team that are 2-1 up with just a few minutes to go.
Six minutes of injury time to be played.
Pepé hacks down Córdoba deep inside his own half and is booked, which is not what Brazil need right now.
Brazil are running out of time, and they're running out of time fast.
The corner is cleared, the second ball is cleared, and the third one is offside (which it wasn't).
Ah, guess what? More Colombian cramp...Muñoz this time.
A corner for Brazil. Let's see what they can do here.
Not much of a reaction from the visitors so far. We've had a little stoppage because of James' cramp and all the subs trying to work out where they're supposed to be playing.
James playing the old cramp card to waste a few seconds....
No pressure, Endrick....
Endrick comes on for Brazil debut
Douglas Luiz and Pepe have also come on.
Gabriel, Raphinha and Lodi off.
Soccer, eh? You just can't write this kind of script!
Another cross, another header!
Lodi blocks off Sinisterra and gets a yellow for his troubles. Cynical.
As simple as you like! Machado crosses from the left, there are loads of yellow shirts in the box and Díaz's heads the ball down and past Alisson!
Rios on for Carrascal.
Colombia's finishing has been woeful. Sinisterra is the culprit this time as he fails to hit the target at the back post.
Sinisterra sneaks the ball through to his teammate but his first-time shot from inside the box is straight at club teammate Alisson!
Another huge chance for Díaz!
Díaz...side netting! The whole of Barranquilla, the whole of Colombia is trying to suck the ball into the net for Díaz after what he's been through lately. A bit more sucking required, though, as the ball skips into the side netting.
Rodrygo's last action as he's replace by Paulinho (the Atlético Mineiro striker, not the former Barcelona midfielder).
Rodrygo glides inside and plays a perfect pass into the box for Raphinha, who misses at the near post on his weaker foot. That was poor (says the bog-standard amateur).
Huge chance for Brazil!
Raphinha has to hit the target!
A chance in attack as Córdoba replaces Borré.
Díaz is FURIOUS with the referee for not giving him a free-kick on the edge of the box. Not sure the capitals and bold do his reaction justice there.
Colombia counter quickly and Sinisterra runs at Lodi, bursting past the defender before going down in the box. Not the best attempt to win a penalty, let's just say.
The short answer is 'no'.
Could Gabriel be in trouble here? He clatters Borré round the mouth as the Colombian closes him down, and goes down in the process.
Díaz has had a busy week so we'll let him off for nutmegging himself from Castaña's cross. He was all alone at the back post but his touch deserted him.
These two are really going for it, no messing about.
No respite for the live blogger as Rodrygo is next to have a go. The Real Madrid man cut inside and lets fly, but Vargas gets down to make a comfortable stop.
The efforts on goal keep coming thick and fast! The ball makes it way through to the back post to Díaz, who doesn't quite catch it right as it dribbles harmless wide of the post.
Back up the other end we go and Raphinha absolutely rattles another one over the bar. Anyone's guess as to who might score next.
Most of Colombia's effort have come from outside the box and there's another one from Carrascal, who tries to find the top corner but hits it too centrally.
From the corner, João Pedro rises highest and gets his head to the ball, but can't keep his effort down.
Superb save from Vargas to deny Raphinha!
So close to 2-0! Raphinha strikes one cleanly from the edge of the box and Vargas does brilliantly to touch it round the post!
A couple of decent moments for the hosts. First, a cross from the left is just too high for Borré before Sinisterra shanks one wide under pressure.
Ahhhh, what a huge chance for Raphinha to play Martnelli clean through! The Barça man tries to find the Arsenal winger, who is in acres of space, but his pass clips a defender and the chance is gone.
Just wide from Guimarães! A curler from the edge of the box. Didn't curl enough, though.
João Pedro also went clean through on goal but it's Colombia who are on the front foot again.
Half-time changes for the hosts
Sinisterra and Borja on for Uribe and Machado
Second half underway!
Away we go again! Can Colombia turn this thing around?
Brazil don't lose early leads
Don't look now Colombian fans, but Brazil have only once lost in qualification after taking the lead in the first five minutes of a game, according to Spanish stats guru MisterChip.
Players coming back out for the second period. Colombia first!
Colombia - Brazil: half-time stats
Possession: 37-63
Shots: 12-6
Shots on target: 5-1
Pass accuracy: 88%-93%
Tackles: 6-12
Big chances: 0-1
Martinelli scores first goal for Brazil
A what a goal it was! Definitely one worth looking for by whatever means you can...
Half time: Colombia 0-1 Brazil
Brazil absolutely flew out of the traps and had actually passed up a couple of promising opportunities before Gabriel Martinelli’s brilliantly-worked second-minute goal. The Arsenal man exchanged several passes with Vinícius Júnior and slotted low into the net, a goal which had been coming despite the game having only just begun.
Since then, though, Colombia have been much the more threatening, with the intensity of their pressing causing the visitors plenty of issues in possession. Luis Díaz has been especially lively and at the heart of his team’s best moves, teeing up Carrascal for a low shot that was well stopped by Alisson, before going on a solo low that was only ended by a fine challenge in the box from André.
Brazil quickly faded after very bright start and, to make matters worse, were forced to take Vinícius off before the half-hour mark. Colombia will hope more of the same can lead to them turning the game around in the second half.
It's obviously very early days as far as Vinícius' injury is concerned, but Will has written up what we know so far. You can bookmark this piece and get the latest updates when we have them.
Half time: Colombia 0-1 Brazil
Brazil have the lead, but they're lucky to be ahead. Martinelli's early goal does it after a brilliant piece of link-up with Vini, who has since gone off injured.
Martinelli, who almost looked surprised not to be hounded by yellow shirts, was allowed to break into the Colombia box for the first time but was unable to pick out João Pedro, who was in space in the middle.
Finally a bit of space for Brazil on the ball...
Díaz has been in the thick of the action and gets his head to a cross inside the box but can't get it anywhere near Alisson's goal.
Four minutes to be added.
Marquinhos plays the ball back to Alisson and it hopes up just as he's away to clear, which he does just in time before Borré closes him down...
I'm going to say it...Colombia have been the better team here, apart from the first three or four minutes.
Castaño is next to try his luck with another shot from long range, with Alisson again claims.
James....shoots wide!
Another Colombian attack, Díaz and James again involved. The latter strides towards the Brazil goal and tries to gently place one in the corner with his swinger, but curls tamely wide of the post.
Martinelli stuck his foot in slightly, although it looked to me as if James kicked his foot. The Colombian thinks he's perfected his VAR hand gesture, but he fails to convince the ref.
Ooooooh, James goes down in the box...! Nothing doing by the looks if it, but you know who'll be watching...
I've just seen another replay of the goal and the link-up between Martinelli and Vini was absolutely superb! We've not seen much of Brazil in attack since then, though...
Brazil coach Fernando Diniz booked
My Portuguese is slightly rusty so I couldn't quite lipread what Diniz was saying to the referee, but let's just say he wasn't pleased with what looked to be a foul on Lodi.
This has been lively!
James shoots over!
Díaz is tormenting Brazil with his dribbling! This time, he sets up James, whose shot from the edge of the box is too high.
Martinelli carries the ball on the left and passes inside to Rodrygo, whose low short fizzes just pass the post!
Rodrygo....just wide!
The Colombian winger outpaces Lodi and races towards goal, cuts inside André and looks to be one-on-one with Alisson, only for the Brazil midfielder to get a foot in at the crucial moment just as he was about to shoot!
Big chance again for Díaz!
Almost an immediate impact for João Pedro as he chases a slide-rule pass into the box but he can't quite get on the end of it and it runs out of play.
Vini goes off injured
The Brazil winger has indeed gone off injured. Oh no.
João Pedro takes his place.
Looks like a hamstring issue. Not what Brazil (or Real Madrid) wanted to see.
Vini looks like he's going off here...
The five-time World Cup winners are on the ropes a bit...
Díaz is giving Royal twisted blood at the minute. The Liverpool man almost gets on the end of a one-two with Carrascal but the ball won't quite sit for him in the box and Brazil scramble it clear.
After a slow start, the hosts putting plenty of pressure on the ball and it's paying off. They're looking the more likely at the moment.
Colombia will be delighted to see one full-back (Muñoz) crossing for the other (Machado). The latter cuts the ball back from Díaz, who can't quite find the target from the angle.
JUST wide from Díaz!
Raphinha's low free-kick into the box is met by Vini but the ball flies wildly over the bar.
Sánchez wipes Vini out near the touchline and gets a card to match the colour of his shirt.
Carrascal wins the ball high up the field (told you) and sets Díaz away. His low angled drive is kept out by Alisson at full stretch!
Alisson again!
From the corner, the Brazil keeper has more work to do as Lucumí gets his head to a cross, but his effort on goal is too central and is easily held. A decent response from the hosts.
Díaz skips away from Royal down the left and tees up the midfielder, whose low shot is tipped round the post by Alisson!
Carrascal...almost 1-1!
Both teams pressing pretty high up the field so far. I can smell a mistake in possession coming at some point...
Brazil trying to play their way out from the back, which works well until the ball gets to Royal, who panics somewhat and almost loses it. Almost.
Not sure what Castaño had for his pre-match meal but it must've been something hearty. He tries his luck from all of 40 yards, Alisson collects easily.
Vintage James as he effortlessly switches the ball from one side of the field to the other.
A brief moment of promise for the hosts as the ball is slid through to Díaz but Lodi does well to get his body in the way and wins a foul in his own box. No way through.
Rodrygo and Martinelli this time look to link up just as the latter did with Vini for the goal. It didn't quite come off that time but Brazil look to be right in the mood.
Machado makes his first venture forward and wins a corner, which causes havoc in the Brazil box. Alisson tries to claim it, gets into traffic and is "fouled" by Sánchez, with Borré also in close attendance.
Finally a chance for Colombia to venture into the Brazil half as Díaz is fouled.
Nothing of note at all from the hosts so far.
Colombia have literally not got going yet.
What a start!
It seems made to say it was coming after two minutes, but it was...
Brazil have made a lightning start here. Royal gets down the right and clips one up to the back post. Vini gets his head on it but sticks it over when he should've done better!
Huge chance for Vini!
That came before Lorenzo had even got to his seat...
An immediate effort on goal from Lodi for Brazil, which flies well wide of the target.
Underway in Barranquilla!
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. Strap yourselves in!
And just in case you're wondering how World Cup qualification works in CONMEBOL, here's a handy little explainer (even if I do say so myself). In truth, it's pretty straightforward.
How the table looks
Fixture five of 18 for both teams. A win for Colombia will see them leapfrog Brazil in the standings.
T | MP | W | D | L | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
3 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Well, the Colombian one is pretty upbeat too...
Is there a cheerier anthem than the Brazilian one?
National anthem time!
Brazil go first!
You may, of course, have noticed that Neymar's name is missing from the Brazil team. You might be aware of why, but just in case...
Colombia vs Brazil: starting line-ups
Almost time to go! Here's how the teams will line up for today's game in Barranquilla.
COLOMBIA
Vargas; Muñoz, Sánchez, Lucumí, Machado; Uribe, Castaño, Carrascal; Rodríguez, Borre, Díaz.
BRAZIL
Alisson; Emerson Royal, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Renan Lodi; André, Bruno Guimarães; Raphinha, Rodrygo, Vini Jr; Martinelli.
Before we get going in Barranquilla, a little reminder that you can also follow Argentina's qualifier at home to Uruguay right here on AS USA. My esteemed colleague Joe is covering that one in all its glory.
You can keep both pages open at once, World Cup qualification heavy!
Colombia vs Brazil: last five meetings
Not much happy reading here for Colombians, I'm afraid. Although recent encounters have been closely fought, which I'm again expecting today.
September 2017: Colombia 1-1 Brazil
September 2019: Brazil 2-2 Colombia
June 2021: Brazil 2-1 Colombia
October 2021: Colombia 0-0 Brazil
November 2021: Brazil 1-0 Colombia
Brazil interim coach Fernando Diniz
It seems mad that a nation like Brazil are employing a "caretaker" coach but that's basically what they're doing with Fernando Diniz, who recently guided Fluminense to Copa Libertadores glory. The 49-year-old is, the Brazilian Soccer Federation hopes, keeping the dugout seat warm for Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is out of contract at the end of the European club season. He's been very coy about whether he would be interested in taking over, although the rumours just won't go away, which suggests it could happen. What does Diniz make of it all, I wonder?
Colombia's Argentine coach Néstor Lorenzo
Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo, who played for Argentina at the 1990 World Cup, has spent most of his coaching career as an assistant, which includes a lengthy spell as second in command to José Pékerman and Arturo Reyes with Los Cafeteros between 2012 and 2019. After a short spell managing in Peru, Lorenzo return to Colombia in July 2022 and hasn't lost any of his 12 games in charge(seven wins, five draws).
Brazil: last five games
June 2023: Brazil 2-4 Senegal, friendly
September 2023: Brazil 5-1 Bolivia, World Cup qualifying
September 2023: Peru 0-1 Brazil, World Cup qualifying
October 2023: Brazil 1-1 Venezuela, World Cup qualifying
October 2023: Uruguay 2-0 Brazil, World Cup qualifying
Colombia: last five games
June 2023: Germany 0-2 Colombia, friendly
September 2023: Colombia 1-0 Venezuela, World Cup qualifying
September 2023: Chile 0-0 Colombia, World Cup qualifying
October 2023: Colombia 2-2 Uruguay, World Cup qualifying
October 2023: Ecuador 0-0 Colombia, World Cup qualifying
The lesser spotted yellow jersey
What is it about yellow jerseys that just looks so good? And why don't more teams wear them? Brazil, Colombia, Villarreal, Norwich City off the top of my head...
Hit me up on Twitter/X with more if you've got some: @English_AS or @RoddyCons
Brazil's attacking intent
I told you I'd find you a graphic and I have done! They've gone with a rather adventurous 4-2-4, which I would personally love to see. In fact, why not go back to the days of the 1950s when everyone played 2-3-5 and threw the kitchen sink at the opposition from the first minute?
How have Brazil started FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification?
Would it be too much of an exaggeration to say the injury to Neymar has overshadowed Brazil's qualifying campaign so far? After opening up with victories over Bolivia (5-1) and Peru (1-0), the five-time World Cup winners were held to a surprising home draw by Venezuela before losing to Uruguay in Montevideo, where their talisman suffered his horrific injury. An October break to forget for everyone, I'd suggest.
Colombia arrive at El Metropolitano
Is there even any point in playing the game if we don't see clips of the teams arriving before the game? Here come the hosts!
How have Colombia started FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification?
An unbeaten start for today's host, but they'll feel they should have two more points than they actually do. After edging out Venezuela on matchday one, then have drawn three matches in a row (vs Chile, Uruguay and Ecuador), the middle one of which they'll see as a missed opportunity. They were twice ahead against Uruguay but were pegged back on both occasions, with Darwin Núñez's second equaliser coming via an injury-time penalty. That hurts.
Brazil team to play Colombia: Rodrygo and Vinícius start
I'll try to get a nice graphic for you in a moment...
Alisson; Emerson Royal, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Renan Lodi; André, Bruno Guimarães; Raphinha, Rodrygo, Vini Jr; Gabriel Martinelli.
Let's see how those front four line up...
Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla hosts Colombia vs Brazil
El Metro, as it is affectionately known, is the home of Atlético Junior. It was built in time for the 1986 World Cup, which was ultimately held in…Mexico! Colombia have played most of their recent World Cup qualifying games in Barranquilla, with the exception of the 2002 and 2010 tournaments, when they played in Bogotá.
Colombia team to play Brazil: James Rodríguez starts
James Rodríguez? Check. Luis Díaz? Check.
Vargas; Muñoz, Sánchez, Lucumí, Machado; Uribe, Castaño, Carrascal; Rodríguez, Borre, Díaz.
Endrick-mania?
There is A LOT of hype surrounding Endrick, in case you had yet to notice. The teenager is set to move to Real Madrid next summer once he has turned 18, following in the footsteps of compatriots Rodrygo and Vinícius. Here's the lowdown on a man/boy you're going to hear plenty about in the next 15-20 years.
Who will replace Neymar? Vinícius? Rodrygo? Endrick…?
Brazil coach Fernando Diniz has been keen to stress that replacing Neymar will be a team effort, with the likes of Real Madrid duo Vinícius Junior and Rodrygo, as well as Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Barcelona winger Raphinha, part of “an extremely talented generation.”
Diniz also attempted to take the pressure off Palmeiras striker Endrick, who has earned his first call up to the senior team as a 17-year-old and will also move to Madrid next year. “He is here because of his merit and enormous future potential. We don’t have to expect everything from a 17-year-old Endrick. I see huge potential. He could become one of those legendary players in Brazilian football, but time will tell.”
Brazil squad news: Casemiro and Eder Militão also out
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro captains Brazil these days but is also missing after his hamstring went ‘ping’ a couple of weeks ago. Real Madrid defender Eder Militão suffered his own long-term injury at the start of the season and will be lucky to play again before 2024-25.
Neymar's new look
Just in case you missed Neymar's new look, here it is in all it's (shiny) glory. I guess he has a fair bit of time on his hands at the moment.
Brazil squad news: Neymar set for lengthy absence
Newly-bald Neymar is, of course, the headline omission from the Brazil squad after tearing both his ACL and meniscus (ouch!) in their last World Cup qualifier in Uruguay. It’s been a rollercoaster start to the campaign for the Al Hilal forward, who became his country’s all-time top scorer ahead of Pelé in the September international break. How quickly things can change, eh?
The other big news surrounding the Colombia team of late has, of course, concerned Luis Díaz. Luis Manuel Díaz, the father of the Liverpool attacker, was thankfully released last week being held hostage for 13 days by the ELN guerrilla.
Here's the full story from Sergio. Díaz is in the squad for today's game and, all being well, is likely to start for Colombia. I feel a t-shirt message celebration coming on if he scores, and rightly so.
Will former Real Madrid star James Rodríguez start for Colombia?
James Rodríguez stated both games for Colombia in the October break, scoring one goal and assisting another in the draw against Uruguay. However, he hasn’t completed 90 minutes for São Paolo since then and didn’t make the matchday squad for their last two matches. In his pre-match press conference, Colombia coach Lorenzo hinted that his captain would be fit to take to the field against Brazil, although we perhaps shouldn’t be totally surprised if he doesn’t…
Colombia squad news: Cuadrado the main absentee
Juan Cuadrado is Colombia’s main absentee. The wingback has been plagued with injuries since moving to Inter in the summer, suffering from tendonitis, then Achilles and calf issues. All in all, he’s played only 97 minutes in four matches for the Italians, missing another nine. He should be back after the international break, at least, although that’s not much use for his country here.
Experienced full-backs Santiago Arias (55 caps) and Frank Fabra (28 caps) are also missing through injury.
Before we get down to business, you may still be looking for a way to watch today's game. If you’re in the United States, then you’re in luck as there is a way and Andy is here with the details!
Just be sure to stick with me too, please!
You can watch a Colombia vs Brazil live stream on Fanatiz
How the table looks: Brazil
One of those three teams is Brazil, who are currently in fourth place in the live standings on seven points from a possible 12. Not a great start for the five-time World Cup winners, with a disappointing October breaking seeing them drop points at home to Venezuela and lose against Uruguay in Montevideo. Those two teams also went into matchday five on seven points, with Brazil in the middle of them in the standings by virtue of having scored fewer goals than the Uruguayans and more than the Venezuelans.
Venezeula, however, are currently in action, drawing 0-0 at home to Ecuador.
T | MP | W | D | L | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
3 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
How the table looks: Colombia
There are only two undefeated teams after four matches: runaway leaders Argentina and…Colombia! Despite that, Néstor Lorenzo’s side are only fifth in the standings after drawing three times so far, although they are just a point behind three teams in joint second spot.
T | MP | W | D | L | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
7 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
What time does Colombia vs Brazil kick off?
We’ll all have to wait just a little though, as the clash in Barranquilla gets underway at 7:00 p.m. local time, which is also 7:00 p.m. ET and 4:00 p.m. PT. What better way to start warming up for the weekend (Friday kind of counts, right?), east coasters?
Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Ready? Let's do this!
Hello and welcome to Colombia vs Brazil!
Games likes these are what international breaks were made for! It’s matchday five of CONMEBOL qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Colombia playing host to Brazil in Barranquilla as things begin to hot up in South America. One former Real Madrid star (James Rodríguez) is getting ready as we speak to take on two of the LaLiga giants’ current stars (Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo), and perhaps even a future one (Endrick).
I'm Roddy and thanks for joining me for this one, which I cannot wait for!