Colombia vs Brazil Play to a 2-2 Draw in Not-So-Friendly Friendly

MIAMI (September 6, 2019) – All the stars were out as Hard Rock Stadium hosted Colombia vs Brazil, Friday night. Some of the biggest names in the game took to the pitch for the friendly match, especially true for Brazil with Dani Alves, Coutinho, Firmino and Neymar in the starting Xl. It would be a tale of two halves as the two teams took terms dominating and the match ending in a 2-2 draw.

The two South American giants pulled no punches in the first half as the two sides went all out from the first whistle. It was the Luis Muriel show in the first half as two Colombia counterattacks ended in goals for the Atalanta striker.

Tonight's match between @CBF_Futebol and @FCFSeleccionCol is SOLD OUT! pic.twitter.com/RBeaOSCh5I

— Hard Rock Stadium (@HardRockStadium) September 6, 2019

The first 10 minutes were an Everton fan’s dream as Richarlison and Yerry Mina came out the gate hot. Before the clock hit 1:00 Richarlison flew past two Colombian defenders and struck a sweet shot that was saved. Seconds later, Mina towered over the Brazil defense to head a Muriel corner that just missed the crossbar. Just before the 10-minute mark ti was once again Richarlison creating a chance, this time picking out Firmino at the back post with a fantastic cross.

Colombia punched right back, nearly taking the lead after Juan Cuadrado whipped in a deadly cross to Duvan Zapata with the big striker’s header just missing the near post.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 18th minute. Brazil’s Neymar floated a picture-perfect corner into the Colombian box that was expertly headed home by Casemiro.

Speaking of Casemiro, the mercurial midfielder picked up the matches first yellow after an atrocious tackle in the center circle, as he is want to do.

The 1-0 deficit seemed to light a fire under Colombia as they would go on to dominate the rest of the first half.

Colombia found its equalizer in the 25th minute after Muriel got deep into Brazilian territory and earned a penalty. He then stepped up to the spot and hammered home the penalty chance to bring the score to 1-1.

Colombia thought they had taken the lead five minutes later as Muriel crossed in a free-kick that was met by Zapata at headed home at the near post only to see the goal called offside.

The hard-working Colombian’s finally took the lead in the 35th minute thanks to a beautiful team goal. The ball found Roger Martinez all alone on the right wing with Zapata and Muriel following him in support. The ball was played to Zapata at the top of the box, who used a shot fake to freeze the defense before laying it off to Muriel who continued his run. Muriel beat his man in the box and lifted the ball over Manchester City’s Ederson for his second goal of the night.

Así fue el segundo gol de @LuisFMurielCF para el 2-1 parcial ante @CBF_Futebol Vía @GolCaracol pic.twitter.com/erbuQGq5yH

— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) September 7, 2019

Brazil nearly tied the match up in the 40th minute if not for quick thinking by Colombia’s veteran keeper David Ospina. A perfect pass by Casemiro cut right through the heart of the Colombian defense, falling right into the path of Richarlison. Ospina was quick of his line and was able to bat away the ball before the Brazilian winger could get to it.

It was all Brazil in the second half with Neymar at the center of everything positive for his team.

The first chance of the second half came in the 51st minute as a scramble in the Colombian box ended with a shot by Coutinho that just missed the far post and multiple yellow shirts looking for service from the PSG man.

The old and new guard of Brazilian soccer combined to tie the match up in the 57th minute. Dani Alves bombed down the right flank before playing a fantastic ball across the face of goal where a waiting Neymar tapped home the equalizer.

https://twitter.com/RouteOneTweets/status/1170154951751942144?s=20

Colombia resorted to the rough stuff as the second half wore on as they couldn’t cope with Brazil’s constituent pressure. Hard tackles in the midfield and a heavy hip check on by Davinson Sanchez on Neymar in the box left Brazil feeling hard done as no cards were issued to the opposing side.

Neymar put on a clinic in the final 10 minutes of the match with dribbling passing shooting and even tackling, showing why he is considered one of the best in the game today. Unfortunately, his individual brilliance was not enough to find a winner with the match ending in a 2-2 draw.

Game Notes

A sellout crowd of 65,232 fans in attendance.
Colombia Goal Keeper David Ospina made his 100th appearance for his country.
When the teams last played in Miami in 2014, they drew a record crowd of 73,429
Neymar played in his first match since injuring his ankle three months ago.
Colombia was missing stars James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao.
Colombia will be back at Hard Rock Stadium November 15th for a match against Peru.

Photo Credit | Edwin Garcia