**Result: Brazil 1-1 Colombia**
Brazil and Colombia drew 1-1 at Copa America. Colombia topped Group D, with Brazil finishing in second place. Colombia will play Panama, while Brazil faces Uruguay in the quarterfinals. In another Group D game, Costa Rica beat Paraguay 2-1, resulting in the elimination of both Costa Rica and Paraguay.
**How will Brazil cope without Vinicius Jr.?**
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Four Brazil players were walking a disciplinary tightrope at kickoff, and it didn’t take long for one to fall off it. Just six minutes into the game, James Rodriguez flicked the ball over Vinicius Jr.'s head in midfield, leading to Vinicius's yellow card from referee Jesus Valenzuela. This suspension means Vinicius will miss Brazil’s quarterfinal match against Uruguay.
Vinicius's absence is significant. He is not only an excellent player but also increasingly seen as the team’s talisman, the go-to person when the situation gets tough. His importance has been magnified by the indifferent form of Rodrygo, his Real Madrid colleague, who again struggled to make much of an impression in this match.
Brazil coach Dorival Júnior now faces tough decisions. One option is to move Rodrygo to the left and play Endrick in the center. Alternatively, Brazil has a few natural wingers who could step in. Gabriel Martinelli and Pepe both prefer playing on the left, but the most likely replacement is probably Savio, who performed well in Brazil’s first two matches.
None of these options are perfect. Rodrygo lacks the speed and penetration Vinicius offers out wide. Martinelli is out of form. Pepe is untested. Savio, being left-footed, would require a reorganization of Brazil’s attacking patterns. Decisions, decisions, decisions...
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