Brazil's tactical balance to be tested as Colombia rematch looms in Copa final
Arthur Elias's team has not leaned on star power to reach the final. Instead, Brazil's run has been defined by tactical balance: a disciplined backline, coordinated pressing, sharp execution on set pieces, and exploiting their opponent's defensive miscues.
Their success is largely down to a core of new figures, such as Amanda Gutierres, who is the leading scorer for the team in the tournament with five goals and plays a central role in attack. Her brace in their semi-final win over Uruguay underscored her sharp positioning and composure in front of goal.
'Hard work pays off,' the Palmeiras striker said after the 5-1 victory. 'Nothing is forced, everything happens at the right moment.'
Meanwhile, the experience of Marta continues to anchor the group. The veteran playmaker, who returned from international retirement for this tournament, was named MVP in the semi-final after a standout performance, assisting the opening goal and converting a penalty.
Captain Marta's energy in Quito's altitude, along with her leadership and vision, has brought balance to a side still finding their rhythm.
'We knew what to do when we had the ball, especially finding the passes between the lines,' Marta said, also praising Brazil's defensive response after a shaky start to the second half. '(Goalkeeper) Claudia and the girls at the back sorted things out.'
While defensively solid with just two goals conceded in five matches, Brazil's intensity lapses have created openings that Colombia, led by Linda Caicedo and Mayra Ramirez, could punish.
Their group-stage goalless draw saw Colombia dominate for 70 minutes after goalkeeper Lorena's red card, highlighting the fine margins the eight-time champions must control in the final.
Brazil may not dazzle for 90 minutes, but their formula built on discipline, rotation and rising confidence has proved effective.
Colombia represent their sternest test yet, but with a blend of energy and experience the reigning champions are positioned to complete their mission again.
Reuters
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Siraj stars as India beat England by six runs in fifth-Test thriller
Mohammed Siraj was the hero as India beat England by just six runs in a thrilling fifth Test at the Oval on Monday to end a dramatic series level at 2-2. England arrived on the final day of the series needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand to complete a remarkable chase of 374. But they were blown away on a morning of unbearable tension, with Siraj taking three wickets for nine runs to finish with figures of 5-104. The dramatic ending was a fitting finale to a series played out in less than seven weeks packed with drama from the first ball. "It just shows that both the teams came with their A-game and I am very happy to get over the line in this one," India captain Shubman Gill told Sky Sports. "When you have got bowlers bowling a spell like Siraj, captaincy seems easy." Mohammed Siraj celebrates with Dhruv Jurel and teammates after taking the wicket of England's Gus Atkinson. Reuters The series was also a personal triumph for Gill, who scored 754 runs, including four hundreds. England, who had been seemingly cruising to victory on Sunday when they were 301-3, were still favourites to win when play started under gloomy skies on Monday. Jamie Overton hit the first two balls of the day off Prasidh Krishna for four to immediately ease the pressure but England were soon reduced to 354-8 after Siraj struck twice to remove Jamie Smith and Overton. Josh Tongue was next to go and when injured last man Chris Woakes came in to bat with his left arm strapped up owing to an injured shoulder, England still needed 17 more runs for victory. Gus Atkinson hit a six off Siraj before England got the target down to single figures. But the paceman clean bowled Atkinson (17) to spark delirious scenes among the India team and their supporters. Non-stop drama The series started with England successfully chasing down a target of 371 to win at Headingley — the 10th highest fourth-innings run chase in Test history. India won the second Test at Edgbaston by a huge margin of 336 runs before England bounced back to win at Lord's, taking a 2-1 series lead. Akash Deep, left, Mohammed Siraj, center, and Prasidh Krishna celebrate their win against England on day five at The Kia Oval in London. AP England's time-wasting tactics during the third Test sparked the first of several flashpoints in an increasingly fiery series. In a drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford, memorable for an astonishing Indian rearguard action, England were angered by the tourists' refusal to agree a draw at the first opportunity. Both sides were hampered by fitness issues at the Oval decider, with England missing inspirational captain Ben Stokes because of a shoulder injury. "I'm bitterly disappointed we couldn't get over the line here, but I'm incredibly proud of my team and everything they've thrown into it," said Stokes. India were without Jasprit Bumrah after deciding to stick to their decision to only play the world's top-ranked Test bowler in three games of the series. But the lion-hearted Siraj, who featured in every match, seized his moment, ending the series as the leading bowler on either side with 23 wickets at 32.43. The paceman struck with his third ball on Monday to have a nervous Smith caught behind, leaving England 347-7. Overton fell next, lbw for nine to a Siraj delivery that angled into the batsman. Tailender Tongue was bowled by Krishna to leave India on the brink of victory before Siraj, appropriately, wrapped up the match, India's narrowest winning margin in a Test match. "From day one to here, everyone fought so hard so we are very happy,"Siraj said. "I just wanted to make sure I hit the right areas, the wickets would fall, and anything else would be a bonus. When I woke up I believed I could do it." England will be bitterly disappointed not to have got over the line after Harry Brook (111) and Joe Root (105) took the game by the scruff of the neck on Sunday. Brook's reckless dismissal was the beginning of a collapse, which ultimately proved decisive, with the home side losing their final seven wickets for just 66 runs. Agence France-Presse
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Brazil beat Colombia in shootout in Women's Copa America final thriller
Brazil successfully defended their Women's Copa America crown by defeating Colombia 5-4 in a shootout on Saturday to claim their ninth continental title after a roller-coaster final in Quito ended 4-4. The decider at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado saw Colombia take the lead three times, only for Brazil to respond on each occasion. Brazil great Marta forced extra time with a late equaliser and the veteran struck again in the 105th minute to seemingly seal victory. But a resilient Colombia found yet another equaliser to send the encounter to penalties, where Brazil's experience ultimately prevailed. 'I think women's soccer has been growing a lot. I think the trend is for it to be more competitive. Everyone here deserved a match like this. Congratulations to Colombia too,' Brazil's Amanda Gutierres said. 'This means a lot. I think it's Brazil's job. It's that mentality of never giving up. That's a source of pride for Brazil. I think it means a lot to Brazilians.' Both teams created early chances but the breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Colombia's Linda Caicedo capped off a tidy passing move with a composed low finish from close range. Brazil got the equaliser in the dying moments of the first half when Angelina stepped up to calmly convert a penalty after VAR confirmed a foul by Jorelyn Carabali on Gio Garbelini. Colombia regained the lead in the 69th minute via a Brazil own goal, defender Tarciane attempting a routine back pass to goalkeeper Lorena but unaware that she had already charged off her line to collect the ball. Gutierres equalised for Brazil again 10 minutes from time with her sixth goal in the tournament, a fierce strike off Garbelini's pass, but striker Mayra Ramirez restored Colombia's lead by netting after a quick counter-attack eight minutes later. Agencies
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Dubai and Abu Dhabi to host T20 Asia Cup matches
Dubai and Abu Dhabi will be the host cities for the men's Twenty20 Asia Cup, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said, with arch-rivals India and Pakistan to meet in Dubai on Sept.14. The tournament in the United Arab Emirates, scheduled to run from Sept.9 to 28, will feature eight teams - two more than the last edition - with 11 matches in Dubai and eight in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi will host the opener between Afghanistan and Hong Kong, while the final will be held in Dubai. "Hosting it in the UAE allows us to bring the excitement to one of the most vibrant cricketing hubs in the world," ACC President Mohsin Naqvi said in a media release. "Dubai and Abu Dhabi are well equipped to deliver a seamless and world class experience for players, fans, and broadcasters alike." Group A includes defending champions India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Hong Kong are in Group B. Reuters
