3️⃣ things we learned as Colombia and Brazil set up dramatic clash

Colombia took control of Copa América Group C Friday evening with a comfortable victory against Costa Rica. Meanwhile, Brazil thumped Paraguay to get back on track.

Here is what we learned from the games in Glendale and Las Vegas.

Colombia have all the tools to win it

While Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay may boast the superstars that ply their trades at some of the world’s biggest clubs, Colombia are proving that they can cook up the same dish with a different mix of ingredients.

It’s 2024 and James Rodríguez is still pulling the strings for Los Cafeteros. His eye for a pass combined with the pace and quality of the forwards in front of him, namely Luis Díaz, Jhon Córdoba, and Rafael Santos Borré have made this iteration of Colombia an attacking juggernaut.

But that’s not the only weapon in Néstor Lorenzo’s arsenal. While the opener against Paraguay was a back-and-forth affair, Colombia showed that they can also comfortably win a game in which their opponents are looking to kick shins and slow the tempo down to a crawl.

Do not sleep on this Colombia side, they are unbeaten in 25 straight matches for a reason.

Brazil are back with a bang

You just couldn’t hold down a team with this much talent forever. Eventually the floodgates would have to open for Brazil, and they did just that against Paraguay.

Vinicius Junior has seemingly officially arrived in the Brazil shirt, checking off his first Copa América goal and his first multi-goal game for his country.

The Real Madrid man can be the catalyst for a real turnaround for Brazil at this tournament, but that’s only if the platform they have given themselves remains stable.

Next up for Dorival Júnior’s side is a showdown with Colombia with Group D on the line — the perfect time to make a statement.

It will be settled in San Francisco

Group D is now shaping up to be one of the most exciting in this edition of Copa América thanks to Brazil’s emphatic win against Paraguay.

With the mood low in the Brazilian camp heading into the night, it looked as if Colombia was set to run away with the group after yet another comfortable win. Vinicius and his mates had other ideas, however.

Next week in San Francisco, Seleção have a chance to make a real statement of intent by coming roaring back to win the group with a final-day win over a Colombia team that haven’t lost in 25 straight.

If they do that, it could be game over for the rest of the competition. Yet Brazil’s recent history in this tournament should serve as a reminder to not hold your breath.