Brazil extended their remarkable World Cup qualifying unbeaten run to 28 games with a routine 1-0 victory over Colombia. The ‘Seleção‘ have now won 12 consecutive qualifiers on home soil and have already secured at least a play-off spot for next year's tournament, sitting nine points clear at the top of the standings.
This contest between two of South America’s heavyweights struggled for flow in the first half, as the referee awarded a staggering 21 free-kicks. Brazil were the team looking most likely to score, even striking the woodwork after Danilo’s cross was inadvertently deflected towards goal by William Tesillo.
The hosts’ best chance of the half came in stoppage time, as Marquinhos was left unmarked to rise highest from a Neymar corner, but the centre-back missed the target by a matter of inches. Colombia carried a threat themselves, though, and went close with both Wílmar Barrios and Luis Díaz striking dangerously and leaving Alisson scrambling, but ultimately missing the mark.
Brazil continued to push for a goal after HT but a dogged defence stood in their way; the visitors had kept three consecutive clean sheets in World Cup qualifiers in October. Neymar forced a superb stop from David Ospina with a curling free-kick, while Antony teed up Matheus Cunha for a free header which the forward was unable to keep down.
Tite’s men did eventually find their goal in the 72nd minute after some superb one-touch football saw Neymar slot Lucas Paquetá through to finish. It was by no means Ospina’s best work, failing to get any weight behind his stop and allowing a relatively tame shot into the back of his net.
Colombia failed to offer enough to get themselves back into the game, condemning them to a 14th consecutive qualifier without a win over Brazil. Reinaldo Rueda’s side are in a perilous position, now looking over their shoulders at Uruguay and Peru, who are both gunning for the last qualification place.
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