Joao Gomes and Brazil booked their place in the knockout stages of the Copa America in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The opening matches of Group C saw Brazil and Colombia both all but through to the knockout stages, but their meeting in California was to decide who finished top.
Gomes | Brazil 1-1 Colombia
The Brazilians had drawn with Costa Rica and beat Paraguay, leaving them on four points from the opening two, but Colombia’s perfect start meant a draw for them would be enough to claim top spot and earn a supposed easier next match against a second-placed team.
For the third successive group game, Gomes started in the midfield and his side enjoyed the dream start as a stunning free-kick from Barcelona’s Raphinha put them ahead on 12 minutes.
However, Colombia, who are unbeaten in two years, equalised on the stroke of half-time thanks to a close-range strike from Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz.
Colombia came closest to a winner after the break, however it’s a goal they didn’t need, as the draw saw them finish top on seven points, and Brazil second with two fewer.
In the group’s other game, Costa Rica beat Paraguay 2-1, however the Colombia Brazil draw meant their chances of sneaking into the knockout stages were over.
For Brazil and Gomes, it’s a meeting with Uruguay, who had topped Group C, at 2am on Sunday morning at the Allegiant Stadium in Nevada.
Remaining fixtures
Gomes | Brazil
Brazil vs Uruguay | 7th July, 2am
Sa, Semedo, Neto | Portugal
Portugal vs France | 5th July, 8pm
