Match preview for Brazil v Colombia
Two South American giants meet on Thursday evening as Brazil and Colombia face off.
The growth of the World Cup has offered some aid for South American groups, notably Brazil, who may need confronted a severe danger of lacking out had the match remained a 32-team competitors.
Brazil presently sits fifth within the standings, a place that in previous editions would have solely assured a play-off spot.
With Paraguay in shut pursuit, the Selecao will likely be wanting to strengthen their qualification prospects, as the highest six groups now earn computerized berths.
With simply 18 factors from 36 accessible, Brazil’s marketing campaign has been underwhelming. Regardless of essential wins over Peru and Chile in October, their failure to beat Venezuela and Uruguay a month later left them in a precarious state of affairs.
Dorival Junior stays on the helm, although doubts persist over whether or not he’ll nonetheless be in cost when the World Cup kicks off, given Brazil’s struggles in qualifying and their disappointing Copa America marketing campaign final 12 months.
With a heated encounter towards Argentina looming subsequent week, securing a victory right here would relieve some strain earlier than heading to Buenos Aires.
VAMOS PRA CIMA! 🇧🇷🔥
A Seleção Brasileira deu início no remaining da tarde desta segunda-feira (17) à preparação para o confronto contra a Colômbia, pela 13ª rodada das Eliminatórias para a Copa do Mundo de 2026. O primeiro treino da equipe comandada pelo técnico Dorival Jr. foi… pic.twitter.com/7AWGuK9cUR
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) March 18, 2025
Brazil can even be protecting a detailed watch on Bolivia and Venezuela, guaranteeing neither makes up important floor.
Colombia made historical past in November 2023 when Luis Diaz’s double secured their first-ever World Cup qualifying victory over Brazil.
However regardless of a formidable 25-game unbeaten begin beneath Nestor Lorenzo, Colombia has now suffered 4 defeats of their final seven matches.
A dramatic loss to Uruguay additionally dented morale, as Colombia equalised within the 96th minute, just for Manuel Ugarte to internet a last-gasp winner within the eleventh minute of added time.
Colombia have slipped from second to fourth in simply two months, however with a six-point cushion inside the highest six, their qualification prospects stay sturdy.
Staff information for Brazil v Colombia
Brazil’s attacking choices have been reshuffled following Neymar’s withdrawal as a consequence of harm. The ahead had been referred to as up after a 17-month absence however was compelled to drag out, with Endrick stepping in as his substitute.
Lucas Paqueta, Ederson, and Igor Jesus had been shock omissions, whereas Lucas Moura and Oscar had been additionally missed regardless of their returns to Sao Paulo.
Defensive considerations persist, with Eder Militao, Bremer, and Danilo all dominated out by way of harm. Goalkeeper Ederson Moraes and striker Richarlison can even miss the fixture as a consequence of health setbacks.
For Colombia, James Rodriguez is about to captain the aspect, returning to the nation the place he first made his identify on the world stage throughout the 2014 World Cup.
Luis Diaz has endured a dip in kind with Liverpool however stays a key determine for Los Cafeteros. In the meantime, Jhon Duran’s latest transfer to Saudi Arabia has not impacted his inclusion.
Crystal Palace duo Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma, who had the weekend off because of the EFL Cup remaining, will likely be well-rested and able to function.
📸 ¡𝐍𝐨𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐞𝐥 𝐣𝐮𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬! ⚽️
🔜 🇧🇷#LaSeleNosUne🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/KRAsv09Vht
— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) March 19, 2025
Anticipated line-ups for Brazil v Colombia
Brazil: Alisson; Vanderson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Alex Sandro; Gerson, Bruno Guimaraes; Rodrygo, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior; Cunha
Colombia: Vargas; Munoz, Lucumi, Sanchez, Mojica; Lerma, Rios; Arias, James, Diaz; Duran
Learn how to watch Brazil v Colombia: TV channel, on-line stream
Brazil v Colombia will kick-off at 00:45 on Friday morning, and is obtainable to observe on Premier Sports activities 1.