World Cup Qualifying - South America | Group Stage

Mar 21, 2025 at 12.45am UK

Estadio Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama

Brazil vs Colombia

Match preview

The expanded World Cup format has benefited the South American nations more than most, particularly Brazil, who would have been in serious danger of missing out on the finals had it been a 32-team tournament.

Brazil go into this week's action in fifth place, which would previously have been good enough for a play-off spot, with Paraguay also breathing down their necks, but the top six will now all progress.

The Selecao have taken a disappointing 18 points from 36 so far, but after two hugely important wins over Peru and Chile in October, dropping points against Venezuela and Uruguay a month later was less costly.

Dorival Junior remains at the helm, but it is hard to imagine that will be the case at next summer's finals, given their disappointing qualifying campaign and shortcomings in last year's Copa America.

With a trip to Argentina next week, a win here would come in handy to take some of the pressure off what will be a high-stakes encounter.

Brazil, remarkably, will be keeping a close eye on the results of Bolivia and Venezuela this month, hoping they do not fall behind them, so as to avoid the pressure they felt in October when they had to win outright in Chile and at home to Peru.

Next up for the Selecao is Colombia, who have never lost at home to Los Cafeteros in 14 previous meetings, including the famous 2014 World Cup quarter-final in Fortaleza.

Luis Diaz's double in the reverse fixture in November 2023 was the first time Colombia had ever beaten Brazil in a World Cup qualifier and set them up perfectly for the final.

However, after a remarkable start that saw coach Nestor Lorenzo go unbeaten in his first 25 games in charge, Colombia have now lost four of their last seven.

Defeat in the Copa America final may have played a part in their decline in qualifying, but there have been some extremely worrying results that cannot be dismissed as complacency.

Lorenzo's men beat Chile as expected, but they ended 2024 with three defeats in four matches, including against a Bolivia side that played 70 minutes with 10 men and at home to Ecuador, who were also a man down for 65 minutes.

While the altitude in Bolivia may have been an explanation, there was none for the Ecuador defeat, as Colombia were extremely wasteful in front of goal, failing to convert any of their 26 shots over 90 minutes.

The dramatic defeat in Uruguay did little to improve morale either, as despite equalising on 96 minutes, Marcelo Bielsa's side avenged their Copa America semi-final defeat with Manuel Ugarte's winner 11 minutes from time.

Colombia have slipped from a comfortable second to fourth in the space of two months, but they are still six points clear of the top six, and even if they suffer another defeat in Brazil, they have a favourable home fixture against Paraguay next week.

Recent Performance

Brazil World Cup Qualifying form:WLWWDD

Colombia World Cup Qualifying form:DWLWLL

Team News

Neymar was recalled to the Brazil squad after a 17-month absence, but injury has once again forced him to withdraw, with Endrick coming in as his replacement.

Lucas Paqueta, Ederson and Igor Jesus are among the surprise omissions, while there is no place for Lucas Moura or Oscar, who are both back where it all began with Sao Paulo.

Eder Militao, Bremer and Danilo are all out with injuries at the back, while goalkeeper Ederson Moraes and striker Richarlison also miss out after recent setbacks.

James Rodriguez announced himself to the world at Brazil 2014, scoring in the quarter-final defeat to the Selecao, and he should be back to captain his country in this fixture.

Luis Diaz's form for Liverpool has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, but he will still be the main man for the visitors, while Jhon Duran's selection has not been affected by his recent move to Saudi Arabia.

Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz is one of the most in-form players in the squad and, along with teammate Jefferson Lerma, had the weekend off recently as the Eagles were out of action for the EFL Cup final.

Possible starting lineup

Brazil possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Vanderson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Alex Sandro; Gerson, Bruno Guimaraes; Rodrygo, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior; Cunha

Colombia possible starting lineup:

Vargas; Munoz, Lucumi, Sanchez, Mojica; Lerma, Rios; Arias, James, Diaz; Duran