Colombia secured their spot in the Copa America quarterfinals as group winners on Tuesday by rallying from behind to draw 1-1 with Brazil.
At Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Raphinha gave Brazil the lead with an incredible free kick in the 12th minute. Daniel Munoz’s equaliser in first half stoppage time was enough to give Colombia a share of the spoils.
Colombia, having won Group D, will now go on to the knockout stages. They will take on Group C runners-up, Panama, on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.
But Tuesday’s draw means Brazil will face a titanic showdown in Las Vegas on Saturday against arch-rivals Uruguay, winners of Group D with a perfect record.
Brazil goalscorer Raphinha insisted the five-time world champions would be unfazed at the prospect of playing Uruguay.
“Our team is evolving with each game, with each training session and we think we’re on the right track,” Raphinha said.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t the result we wanted, and it wasn’t the position that we wanted to qualify for the quarter-finals in.
“But whoever wants to be champion shouldn’t be worrying about who they play in the next round; we have to be prepared for anyone.
“If we want to win this competition we have to be prepared to play our best.”
Vinicius Jr out –
Brazil will head into the quarter-finals without Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr, who picked up his second yellow card of the tournament for a reckless early foul on James Rodriguez on Tuesday.
