Vinicius fires stoppage-time winner for Brazil over Colombia
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Vinicius Jr waves to the fans during the World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Colombia.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
BRASILIA – Vinicius Jr spoke of his pride playing for Brazil, as he struck a dramatic winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time to clinch a 2-1 win over Colombia in their South American World Cup qualifier on March 20.
The five-time world champions had taken a sixth-minute lead in Brasilia through a Raphinha penalty, only for Luis Diaz’s fine 41st-minute strike to level the game for Colombia.
The visitors then dominated their opponents in the second half, but were ultimately sunk by the Real Madrid winger’s last-gasp winner.
“Today’s goal is a bit of relief, a bit of happiness. Playing for the national team is something you can’t explain,” said Vinicius.
“Every time we come here, it’s like it’s the first time.”
The victory leaves Brazil well positioned in second place in the 10-team qualifying group, four points behind leaders Argentina, who travel to Uruguay on March 21.
“It was a very important victory given the situation, but above all, because of the process that has been improving every moment,” said Selecao coach Dorival Jr.
“We have been following the process, strengthening everything that the players have been doing.
“The path is not ideal, but we are moving towards considerable improvement.”
A foul from Daniel Munoz on Vinicius resulted in the early penalty for Brazil and Raphinha, taking a short run-up, confidently slotted home the spot kick to give the hosts the lead.
But, four minutes before the break, James Rodriguez found Liverpool’s Diaz on the left and the winger moved inside before driving it home into the far, bottom corner of the net.
Diaz’s Liverpool teammate and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker had to go off injured in the 78th minute with an apparent concussion. He collided with Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez, who was stretchered off.
While Colombia enjoyed the bulk of attacking possession, Brazil remained a threat.
The Alisson injury had created the lengthy stoppage time, and Vinicius took advantage with his fiercely struck effort taking a slight deflection off a defender’s head and flying in.
Next up, Brazil face arch-rivals Argentina on March 25.
It was a bitter ending for a Colombia side who sit in sixth place still with work to do in qualifying.
“We kept Brazil in their half, I think we deserved more again, but that’s the way it is. I have a lot of doubts about the refereeing decisions, which I’m not going to comment on,” said Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo.
“We played a great game and came away with nothing again. We conceded a very early goal again.”
In other South American qualifiers on March 20, Paraguay beat Chile 1-0 in Asuncion, thanks to Omar Alderete’s goal. The result left La Roja rooted to the bottom of the table.
Striker Paolo Guerrero, 41, was on target as Peru beat Bolivia 3-1 to move off the bottom. Andy Polo opened the scoring in the 37th minute before Guerrero found the target on the stroke of half-time.
Bolivia pulled one back with a Miguel Terceros penalty in the 58th minute, before Edison Flores restored the two-goal cushion in the 82nd minute. AFP
