Date: March 20, 2025
Match: Brazil vs. Colombia
Venue: Arena BRB Mané Garrincha, Brasília, Brazil
Kick-off: 00:45 UTC (March 21, 2025)
Competition: CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification 2026
The Brazil versus Colombia match during Round 13 of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification slate will occur on March 21, 2025, at 00:45 UTC (9:45 PM local time on March 20) in the Arena BRB Mané Garrincha in Brasília. Two extreme powerhouses from South America prepare for a crucial matchup which features Brazil under Dorival Júnior at home while Colombia under Néstor Lorenzo fights to enhance their history of playing tough against Brazil. The upcoming match guarantees strategic combat combined with maximum intense gameplay because both teams need to finish within the top six positions to directly qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in North America.
Team Form and Momentum
Brazil: Seeking Consistency
Brazil starts the match in fifth position with 18 points from their 12 matches (W5, D3, L4), revealing their ability as well as persistent performance gaps. Brazilian footballers registered positive results by scoring eight points through four qualifiers starting with their 2-0 triumph against Peru then their 2-1 victory against Chile before their defeats 1-2 to Uruguay and their draw 1-1 with Venezuela during October-November 2024.
Brazil produces 11 points from their six home matches while facing challenges after their defeats to Paraguay and Argentina at the Mané Garrincha stadium. The offensive arsenal of Brazilian national team under Dorival Júnior features outstanding play from Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha while defensive errors have become their principal weakness. A victory would position Brazil better for reaching third position currently occupied by Argentina alongside Uruguay and Ecuador.
Colombia: Fading Momentum
Lorenzo’s elitist streak has now ended since Colombia secured 19 points (W5, D4, L3) in fourth position only ahead of Brazil by one vital point while showing weakening performance after their 25-match undefeated run. Recent matches have exposed vulnerabilities as Colombia recorded four defeats within their recent seven contests of all competitions despite maintaining control of possession and building ample scoring opportunities.
Following their Copa América final loss to Argentina in July 2024 Colombia started leaking goals with a 4-0 defeat against Chile in October 2024 showing their offensive strength but followed it up with missed scoring chances afterward. Their victory against Brazil by 2-1 in Barranquilla during November 2023 stands as their most important success so they will try to repeat that achievement in Brasilia to strengthen their qualification journey.
Tactical Preview
Brazil’s Approach
Throughout the match Dorival Júnior will lead his players using a 4-2-3-1 arrangement which unites defensive consolidation with offensive brilliance. Brazil relies on Alisson Becker to secure the goal position behind defenders Vanderson (Monaco), Marquinhos (PSG), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), and Guilherme Arana (Atlético Mineiro). Brazil has Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle) and Gerson (Flamengo) as its midfield center that provides defensive support and offensive passing opportunities.
Up top, Raphinha (Barcelona), Savinho (Manchester City), and Rodrygo (Real Madrid) support Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) as the spearhead. During the match Brazil will apply a game plan that focuses on ball possession together with fast attacks and wide movements from Raphinha and Savinho while providing opportunities for Vinícius to score through his attacking abilities.
Colombia’s Blueprint
Néstor Lorenzo has decided on a 4-3-3 formation because it allows tight play and speedy counterattacks. In his defensive line Camilo Vargas (Atlas) defends the goal supported by Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray), Jhon Lucumí (Bologna) and Johan Mojica (Mallorca). Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace) combines with Richard Ríos (Palmeiras) and James Rodríguez (Rayo Vallecano) to control the midfield through their mixture of strength and inventiveness.
The Colombian attack consists of Luis Díaz from Liverpool and Jhon Arias from Fluminense together with Jhon Córdoba of Krasnodar. Brazil’s opposition will confront Colombia by employing organized defensive positions while employing intermittent pressing movement to disturb their regular passing rhythm as they capitalize on opposing attacks through the combination of Rodríguez’s technical ability and Díaz’s offensive speed.
Players to Watch
Brazil’s Key Figures
- Brazil relies on Vinícius Júnior to lead their attack because he scores goals directly and establishes multiple attacking touches since the start of 2022 World Cup matches. He’ll test Muñoz’s defensive resolve.
- Raphinha continues to replicate Vinícius’s statistics in Barcelona while excelling from dead ball situations after scoring a free kick goal during Colombia’s Copa América 2024 match.
- During the match Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United will focus on stopping Rodríguez by using his physical determination to control the game’s flow.
Colombia’s Standouts
- Luis Díaz showed his dynamism to Liverpool by scoring two goals against Brazil during 2023 World Cup matches. Raphinha will utilize his quickness to pressure Vanderson in the right-back position.
- Colombia relies on James Rodríguez as their central playmaker because he provides both passing ability and potent free kick execution in the middle of the field.
- At Crystal Palace Daniel Muñoz shows strong defensive qualities and offensive quality through his Copa América goal against Brazil.
Head-to-Head Record
Historical Encounters
The two teams from Brazil and Colombia played a total of 16 matches in all competitions starting from 2003 until now.
- Matches Played: 16
- Brazil Wins: 7
- Colombia Wins: 2
- Draws: 7
- Goals Scored (Brazil): 22
- Goals Scored (Colombia): 13
- Biggest Brazil Win: 5-0 (2003, World Cup Qualifier)
- Biggest Colombia Win: 2-1 (2023, World Cup Qualifier)
- Last Meeting: 1-1 (2024, Copa América Group Stage)
The Seleção held historical superiority until Colombia reached victory in Barranquilla through their 2023 triumph that marked their seventh unsuccessful encounter (D3, L4) against Brazil. Raphinha and Muñoz exchanged goals when Brazil and Colombia met during Copa América 2024 which signaled the upcoming matchup to be another contested match.
Squad Updates
Brazil Team News
Brazil loses Neymar because of injury while Palmeiras’ Endrick substitutes in besides five additional starters who are absent due to injuries. Dorival now relies heavily on his attacking center and defense that requires adjustments. The return of Alisson has fortified the defensive line and Guimarães provides steady performance in the midfield.
Colombia Team News
Lorenzo can enter the match with strong team fitness because Rodríguez has recovered from his injury and Díaz demonstrates top-level performance. Córdoba wins the striker position ahead of Rafael Santos Borré while delivering power to clash against Brazil’s defensive backs. The absence of severe injuries protects Colombia from losing their regular starters since their starting lineup remains consistent.
Numbers That Matter
Statistical Highlights
The Brazilian team scored 1.83 goals per match while scoring five times out of six home qualifier matches at the Mané Garrincha.
Colombia scored 1.5 goals per away qualifier and defended their goal six times through their six road games.
Seleção encounters losses to Colombia only once out of their twenty-three qualifiers (W13, D9) but the defeat occurred recently and represents a changing pattern.
Coaches’ Corner
Dorival Júnior’s Perspective
Dorival declares Brasília serves as their defensive headquarters as he notes Colombia’s victory during 2023 matches. Strict intensity combined with perfect execution will dominate our game to gain control. The coach explains that Vinícius serves as their primary weapon to defeat Colombia’s defensive strategy.
Néstor Lorenzo’s Outlook
The Brazilian team leader Lorenzo continues to express confidence when he states: “We’ve proven we can defeat Brazil.” Our main objective remains disciplen combined with effective utilization of their mistakes. Both Díaz and James will play a deciding role according to James. His team’s defensive abilities are justified to him over the past history of Seleção national team.
Stakes and Context
This match will establish how both teams advance forward because both teams have access to six automatic qualification spots and a playoff spot. The current standings put Brazil in a position for third-placed points while Colombia works to maintain their lead ahead of Paraguay and Bolivia in the competition. This match up will determine the teams’ future performance in the last part of the tournament.
Match Prediction
How It Unfolds
Early in the match Brazil maintains control of the ball through their passing combination of width and speed as Colombia adopts a defensive position through the midfield then attacks using counterattacks. The Colombian defense under Díaz maintains their competitive position against Brazil while Raphinha and Vinícius approach dangerous spaces ahead. A late goal may settle it.
Score Prediction: Brazil 2-1 Colombia
Seleção wins the match through goals from Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha yet Luis Díaz manages to score for Colombia in a lively 2-1 contest.
Pivotal Duels
Key Matchups
Vinícius Júnior enters this match against Daniel Muñoz to display his flair through a speed vs strength strategic battle.
The midfield struggle between James Rodríguez’s creative style and Bruno Guimarães’ aggressive pushing behavior decides the midfield control.
Díaz presents direct attacks to challenge the composure of Vanderson in a critical attacking duel on the flank.
Closing Thoughts
The Seleção fights Los Cafeteros against two different tactical strategies based on their attacking dominance and Colombian defensive determination. Brazil owns a minor advantage as hosts yet Colombia stands determined because of their recent tournament achievements and effective counter-attacking style. The historical rivalry between these clusters will produce an audacious show that fills the Mané Garrincha stadium to its capacity.
