Colombia’s possible line-up vs Brazil at W Gold Cup: will Linda Caicedo start?

“We’re out to beat Brazil, and we’ve worked hard on the training pitch to achieve that,” Colombia head coach Ángelo Marsiglia said before the squad flew to the United States for the CONCACAF W Gold Cup. “We’re going to be coming up against a side that has so much history not just in soccer, but in sport, and is a hugely demanding prospect. But I think we’re ready to go toe-to-toe with them.”

Can Colombia avenge Copa América final defeat to Brazil?

On Saturday, Colombia meet Brazil on matchday two of the W Gold Cup, in what is the most attractive game in Group B. Las Cafeteras will be tasked with proving that they’ve worked on the mistakes that cost them the Copa América final against the Brazilians in 2022, and that they’ve cut the gap between them and the eight-time South American champions.

Colombia’s opponents head into the game after a 1-0 opening win over preliminary-round qualifiers Puerto Rico, whose goalkeeper Sydney Martínez produced a stellar display to keep the Seleção out until the closing stages on Wednesday. Brazil had 28 shots against the Puerto Ricans, but didn’t break the deadlock until Gabi Nunes’ 81st-minute strike at Snapdragon Stadium.

Will Marsigilia change his team for Brazil test?

Colombia, meanwhile, impressed all observers in a 6-0 thumping of Panama on matchday one. Marsiglia made changes to his side for the opener, with Manuela Pavi - who scored twice - and Ilana Izquierdo the chief new faces in the starting line-up in San Diego. Catalina Usme, Manuela Vanegas and Linda Caicedo also netted for the Colombians, with Panama’s Carina Baltrip-Reyes completing the rout with a last-minute own goal.

Ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster against Brazil, Marsiglia is likely to shuffle his pack once more in search of his very strongest XI; most notably, Real Madrid forward Caicedo is in contention to return to the team, after the 19-year-old starlet was surprisingly named among the substitutes against Panama.

Colombia’s possible starting line-up vs Brazil:

Natalia Giraldo; Carolina Arias, Daniela Arias, Jorelyn Carabalí, Manuela Vanegas; Lorena Bedoya, Daniela Montoya, Manuela Pavi, Marcela Restrepo; Linda Caicedo and Catalina Usme.

Colombia vs Brazil: start time, how to watch

Colombia and Brazil’s Group B matchday-two clash will be played at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, at 10:15pm ET/7:15pm PT on Saturday 24 February 2024. Viewers in the United States will be able to watch English-language coverage of the game on CBS Sports and Paramount+, while Spanish speakers can enjoy the action on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. If you’re in the US and want to go to the game, you can buy tickets on the CONCACAF website.

Can Colombia qualify from Group B on matchday two?

Yes, they can. Colombia will be certain to finish in one of Group B’s two automatic-qualification spots if they beat Brazil and the section’s other matchday-two game, between Puerto Rico and Panama, either ends in a draw or a victory for the Panamanians.

If the Puerto Ricans win, Colombia’s healthy goal difference (currently +6) means they will be all but assured of a place in the top two should they take all three points against the Brazilians.

Given that two third-placed teams will also progress to the quarter-finals, moreover, any result other than a defeat on Saturday is likely to ensure the Colombians end up qualifying. At the women’s Olympic soccer tournament, whose group stage follows the same system as the W Gold Cup, every third-placed finisher with four points or more has qualified for the knockout phase since the format’s introduction in 2004.