The rivalry between Barcelona and Actual Madrid is likely one of the fiercest in soccer, a battle that extends past membership degree and into nationwide staff camps. But, throughout Brazil’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Colombia within the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, an sudden second noticed two gamers from opposing sides of El Clasico—Raphinha and Vinicius Junior—momentarily put apart their membership loyalties.
With Neymar already out because of damage, Brazil may ailing afford to lose one other key participant forward of their essential match in opposition to Argentina. And it was Raphinha, a Barcelona star, who made positive that wouldn’t occur.
The match at Estadio Mane Garrincha in Brasilia was pivotal for each Brazil and Colombia, with each side determined to return to profitable methods after disappointing ends in earlier qualifiers. Brazil struck first when Vinicius was fouled within the field, profitable an early penalty. The Barca ace, displaying calm beneath stress, transformed the spot-kick within the sixth minute to offer the Seleção the lead.
Regardless of the house aspect’s early dominance, Colombia refused to again down. Simply earlier than halftime, Luis Diaz fired a low shot into the underside nook, leveling the match and leaving the house followers in frustration. With each groups looking for a winner within the second half, the sport appeared destined for a draw. However deep into stoppage time, within the 99th minute, the Actual Madrid star struck from outdoors the field. His shot took a lucky deflection and located the again of the web, sending Brazil into celebration mode.
Raphinha takes issues into his fingers after Vinicius’ controversial time-wasting
With Brazil holding onto their slender lead, head coach Dorival Junior determined to substitute Vinicius Junior within the one centesimal minute—a basic time-wasting tactic to see out the match. Nonetheless, as an alternative of strolling off via the closest touchline, the Ballon d’Or runner-up took his time, strolling throughout your complete width of the pitch. This deliberate delay pissed off the Colombian gamers, who surrounded the referee in protest.
Sensing that the 24-year-old’s antics may land him in hassle, Raphinha shortly stepped in. The Barcelona ahead bodily pushed Vinicius away from the referee, urging him to exit the sphere earlier than issues escalated. Matheus Cunha additionally backed Raphinha’s stance, reinforcing the necessity to preserve their teammate out of disciplinary hassle.
At that second, Barcelona’s ahead was not considering as a Blaugrana participant, nor as a rival of Vinicius at membership degree—he was performing as a frontrunner for Brazil. He understood that a yellow card for time-wasting would imply suspension, making Vinicius unavailable for the large Argentina conflict on March 25 at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Vinicius acknowledges Raphinha’s assist as key gamers keep obtainable
After the sport, Vinicius admitted that Raphinha’s intervention was in his finest curiosity. “Sure, I used to be warned, it’s simply that within the qualifying matches it’s at all times difficult, it’s simply two playing cards. One makes a foul and is already warned, and I couldn’t miss the following match,” he defined to Movistar+.
“En los partidos de eliminatorias siempre es complicado… son apenas dos tarjetas”.
“Uno hace una falta y ya está apercibido… y no podía faltar al próximo partido”.
🎙️ Las palabras de Vinicius.
#EliminatoriasSudamericanas #LaCasaDelFútbol
La reprimenda de Raphinha y Matheus Cunha a Vinicius al demorarse en exceso al ser sustituido.
Si el brasileño hubiera visto una tarjeta amarilla se hubiera perdido el duelo ante Argentina.
#LaCasaDelFútbol #EliminatoriasSudamericanas
Brazilian followers praised Raphinha for his maturity, with many noting that his actions ensured Vinicius can be obtainable for the Argentina recreation. The match in opposition to the present World Cup and Copa America champions is essential as Brazil goals to shut the hole within the CONMEBOL standings. They presently sit in second place, however Argentina leads the group by 4 factors. Given the absence of Neymar, shedding Vinicius for such a large encounter would have been a serious blow.
Raphinha himself was prone to suspension however managed to keep away from a yellow card as properly. Whereas Barcelona followers may need wished in any other case, provided that the 28-year-old is predicted to be fatigued earlier than their recreation in opposition to Osasuna, Brazil followers shall be relieved that their key attacking duo shall be obtainable for his or her hardest problem but.