Vinicius Júnior's late goal seals Brazil win over Colombia in South American qualifying
A last-minute goal by Vinicius Júnior secured Brazil's 2-1 win over Colombia in World Cup qualifying on Thursday, helping his team and millions of fans avoid more disappointment.
A draw would have seen Brazil slump to sixth in the South American standings. Instead, Brazil moved to second spot behind Argentina after Vinicius Júnior's long-range goal.
The top six teams in South America are guaranteed spots at next year's World Cup in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, and so the victory released some pressure on Brazil coach Dorival Júnior ahead of next week's game against Argentina. The five-time champions have never missed a World Cup.
Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad has 25 points after 12 games — four points clear of Brazil (21 points from 13 games) — and is close to securing its place in the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina will be without Lionel Messi when it plays at Uruguay on Friday, four days before its scheduled showdown with Brazil. The last time the two South American powerhouses met, Argentina won 1-0 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in 2023.
Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimarães and defender Gabriel Magalhães were booked against Colombia and will miss the match in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
Goalkeeper Alisson and Colombian defender Davinson Sánchez were substituted in the concussion protocol, and will also miss the next match in World Cup qualifying.
Colombia will play host to Paraguay next week.
VINICIUS SAVES BRAZIL
Brazil appeared more energized than in previous games, with speed, high skill and an early goal from the spot suggesting that coach Dorival Júnior had found a starting lineup to get the job done.
But then a defensive mistake put it all at risk for the hosts in Brasilia until a moment of brilliance by Vinicius Júnior.
Raphinha scored in the 6th minute after Vinicius Júnior was fouled in the penalty box. After that, Brazil kept possession, but didn't put on real pressure to add a second in front of 70,000 fans.
Colombia equalized with a crossed shot by Luis Diaz in the 41st, assisted by James Rodríguez. The visitors got the ball at the edge of Brazil's box from substitute Joeliton, who replaced injured Gerson.
Both teams struggled with accuracy in the second half until Vinicius Júnior took a shot from long distance which deflected off Jefferson Lerma and beat goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
"This was very important, we deserved to win. I deserved this goal too for all I have worked for," Vinicius Júnior said of his first goal in this qualifying tournament. "It was a bit of relief, a bit of happiness."
Brazil coach Dorival Júnior said the win was key "because of our moment, our situation and for our process."
"We're feeling now that we are on a path. It's not all ideal, but we will be improving every round."
Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo was upset with the result.
"We had a great match again and we leave with nothing," Lorenzo said. "We deserved more, once again." Colombia is in 6th place with 19 points.
PARAGUAY EDGES CLOSER
Paraguay remained unbeaten under coach Gustavo Alfaro with a tense 1-0 win over Chile in front of raucous fans in Asuncion. The hosts dominated most of the match and maintained pressure on their rivals, who could barely create scoring opportunities.
Omar Alderete scored the winner on the hour with a classic Paraguayan strategy: a set piece led to two headers that enabled Alderete to shoot from close range. It boosted Paraguay's chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
Paraguay has 20 points and is fourth in the standings. Chile, with nine points, is last in the round-robin competition.
Also on Thursday, Peru beat Bolivia 3-1. Andy Polo scored in the 37th minute, Paolo Guerrero added a second in the 45th and Edison Flores finished it off in 82nd. Miguel Terceros netted Bolivia's goal from the spot in the 58th minute.
Bolivia remains in seventh place with 13 points, which keeps the team in contention for inter-continental playoffs for World Cup spots. Peru has 10 points and is in ninth place.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Nahar Net
3 days ago
- Nahar Net
Lewandowski to miss game because of hamstring problem
by Naharnet Newsdesk 08 August 2025, 17:34 Robert Lewandowski will miss Barcelona's friendly match on Sunday because of a hamstring problem, the Catalan club said Friday. Barcelona will host Italian club Como in the traditional curtain-raising Joan Gamper Trophy game before its La Liga campaign starts Aug. 16 against Mallorca. "The striker is unavailable for Sunday's game and his recovery will determine his return," the team said in a statement. Lewandowski scored 42 goals total in 52 appearances last season to help Barcelona win the La Liga title. His 27 league goals was second only to Kylian Mbappe's 31. The 36-year-old Poland international is beginning his fourth season at Barcelona.
Nahar Net
29-07-2025
- Nahar Net
England's Euro 2025 champions given heroes' welcome with some surprise guests
by Naharnet Newsdesk 29 July 2025, 15:58 Thousands of fans came out to celebrate England's back-to-back Women's European Champions in London on Tuesday as coach Sarina Wiegman and her players were given a homecoming to remember. Led by a marching band along the iconic Mall and later serenaded on stage by music stars Burna Boy and Heather Small, England's players and staff partied in front of Buckingham Palace. "I was crying all the way down The Mall. This is unbelievable. This is probably one of the best things we've ever been a part of," said captain Leah Williamson, fighting back more tears. England made history by becoming the country's first national soccer team across the men's and women's game to win a tournament on foreign soil with the penalty shootout victory against world champion Spain in Basel on Sunday. Arriving on two open-top buses with "Champions" emblazoned on them, the players waved to the fans who, wearing face paint and waving flags, had lined the streets to welcome their heroes. "We didn't really know what to expect coming into it today, but everyone was so excited on the bus and it was so nice to come back to England and celebrate with our fans," said Alessia Russo, who scored England's equalizing goal in the final, which ended 1-1 after extra time. "It's just a bit surreal. It's crazy to see this many people come out in the home of England, in London, heading up to Buckingham Palace, I'd never have dreamt of anything like it." The central band of the Royal Air Force got the atmosphere going — playing England soccer anthems "Three Lions" and "Sweet Caroline." There was more music on stage with a special surprise for Wiegman, who is a fan of Burna Boy. The Nigerian Afro-fusion star joined her to sing his hit song "For my Hand," with Wiegman dancing along and joining in. The Dutch coach completed a three-peat of Euros titles, having previously won with her native Netherlands in 2017 and England in 2022. She has a remarkable record of reaching the final of her last five major tournaments as coach of the Netherlands and England. "I hoped for a little less chaos," she said of the her latest triumph, which featured comebacks from England in each of the knockout rounds through to the final. "They just showed up when it was really necessary." Heather Small was next on stage to sing "Proud" with England's players joining in again before lifting the trophy in front of the thousands of fans who had gathered, with fireworks filling the sky. For Williamson, triumph was another benchmark as she became the first England captain to lift two major trophies. "Obviously we do it for us and our team, but we do it for the country and for young girls. This job never existed 30, 40 years ago and we are making history every single step," she said.
Nahar Net
29-07-2025
- Nahar Net
Williams takes pride in being Athletic's first Black captain when 'far-right is fashionable'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 29 July 2025, 15:59 Iñaki Williams is taking pride in becoming the first Black captain for Athletic Bilbao at a time when he said the "far-right is fashionable." The 31-year-old Williams, one of the first Black players to ever join the club, will take over as the squad's main caption this season. Athletic historically has had few Black players because it only fields people from Spain's northern Basque Country region or adjoining areas. Williams and his younger brother, Nico, were born in the northern industrial city of Bilbao from Ghanaian parents who made the long journey to Europe looking for a better life. "This means a lot," Williams said. "It's seems like destiny that my mom and dad gave birth to me in Bilbao 31 years ago," Williams said. "We are lucky to represent many people who come from abroad to make a living. And to be a reference in Basque Country and in Spain, is important for us. "We come from humble families, and being able to express this is good for everyone," he said. "It seems like the far-right is fashionable, and those of us who have a voice have to keep working and keep proving people wrong and keep overcoming barriers." Both Williams brothers, who have been subjected to racist insults in Spain, have been playing for Athletic since their youth. Iñaki Williams chose to play for Ghana's national team at the last World Cup, while his 23-year-old brother Nico has been a regular in Spain's squad. Nico Williams has become one of the rising stars in Spanish soccer and reportedly was in negotiations to join Barcelona this season, though he ended up extending his contract to stay with Athletic. The Basque Country club finished fourth in last season's Spanish league, behind Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and champions Barcelona. "We're committed to being ambitious," Iñaki Williams said. "With the new signings and the young players coming in, we're making great strides. This is one of the strongest Athletic sides I can remember since I joined."
