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In tournament soccer, all that truly matters is the result. It can be ugly, it can be physical and it can be uneventful - but if you get a result, it supersedes everything else.
That sums up Brazil's Copa America 2024 thus far. It hasn't been beautiful, but they've got the job done. They're through to the knockout rounds of the tournament, securing a clash with Uruguay in the quarterfinals.
Colombia, meanwhile, remain simply sensational. They are playing some of the best soccer across all teams competing in Copa America. James Rodriguez clearly spoke with Father Time and they made a deal that the 2016 version of the player at Real Madrid would be allowed to feature during this tournament.
And there's zero reason as to why they shouldn't be seen as favorites to claim the title at this point - that's what happens when you go 26 matches unbeaten.
Brazil and Colombia battled to a 1-1 draw Tuesday night in the final group-stage match, with a sensational direct free kick from Raphinha securing the Selecao a point. The Barcelona winger opened the scoring just 12 minutes into the game, but Brazil stagnated for the 78 minutes that followed.
Los Cafeteros equalized just before the halftime whistle, and that told the story. With the point, Colombia topped the group, and Brazil secured second place, with both teams advancing further in the tournament.
The match didn't come without setbacks, though. Most importantly, the Selecao will be without superstar attacker Vinicius Jr against La Celeste in the quarterfinals. The Real Madrid winger picked up his second yellow card of the group stage and, as a result, will now be suspended.
Midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Joao Gomes were also given yellows during a match that had a total of 33 fouls. That said, it doesn't always need to be pretty and both sides will feel it's a case of job done. Now it's time to focus on the knockouts.
GOAL rates Brazil's players from Levi Stadium.