The CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers continue on Thursday with a notable match in Brasilia. Brazil is set to face Colombia as both teams aim to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Currently, both nations are in a favorable position in the qualifying standings. Colombia occupies the fourth spot, while Brazil is fifth. These positions are within the automatic qualification zone of six teams, and comfortably ahead of the seventh-place spot, which leads to intercontinental playoffs for a chance to compete in the next year’s tournament. Brazil has a five-point lead over seventh-placed Bolivia and a six-point advantage over eighth-placed Venezuela, while Colombia is slightly ahead, with one more point in each comparison.
With six matches remaining in the South American World Cup qualifying campaign, there are significant expectations for both Brazil and Colombia to successfully qualify. Brazil has shown improvement after a shaky start to the qualifiers, where they were positioned sixth after six games with only two wins. They have since added three more victories in their subsequent six matches. However, a surprising vulnerability still seems to affect the Brazilian team. Despite Neymar’s absence due to a thigh injury, Brazil still possesses considerable talent, including Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, along with Barcelona’s Raphinha. This Brazilian team has frequently struggled to meet expectations, making this match crucial for coach Dorival Junior.
Brazil’s current situation presents Colombia with a valuable opportunity to achieve another significant victory, especially after their 2-1 win against Brazil in Barranquilla in November 2023, during Brazil’s period of poor performance. Colombia, who were finalists in the previous Copa America, are spearheaded by Luis Diaz. Diaz has scored twice in his last six national team appearances, but his recent club form has been less impressive as he enters this game. He has only scored once in his last 18 games for Liverpool, making this match a chance to reverse that trend, or it could be a further indication of a decline in his form.
Projected lineups
Brazil: Alisson, Vanderson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Arana, Gerson, Guimaraes, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Vinicius, Cunha
Colombia: Vargas, Munoz, Lucumi, Sanchez, Mojica, Portilla, Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz, Duran
Prediction
Colombia’s victory over Brazil in November 2023 occurred during a period when Colombia was on a long unbeaten streak, but their form since the Copa America has been inconsistent. This inconsistency might provide Brazil with an important chance, despite their own inconsistencies. It is anticipated that one of Brazil’s talented attacking players will be decisive enough to secure a vital win. Pick: Brazil 1, Colombia 0
Benedict Kingsley