In a dramatic World Cup 2026 qualifier, Brazil secured a 2-1 win over Colombia with a stunning last-minute goal from Vinícius Jr. The Real Madrid forward delivered the decisive strike in the 99th minute, keeping Brazil in second place in the CONMEBOL standings and boosting their qualification hopes.
The match at Mané Garrincha Stadium started at a high tempo, with Brazil earning an early penalty. Raphinha stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, giving the hosts an ideal start. However, Colombia responded strongly, with James Rodríguez pulling the strings in midfield. Just before half-time, Luis Díaz found the net, finishing off a precise assist from Rodríguez to bring Colombia level.
The second half was an intense battle, with both teams pushing for a winner. A worrying moment occurred when Colombian defender Davinson Sánchez clashed with Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson, leaving Sánchez briefly unconscious. Medical staff rushed in, and he was substituted as a precaution. The incident led to Brazil making seven substitutions, a rare move made possible by the concussion substitution rule.
As the match seemed destined for a draw, Vinícius Jr produced a moment of magic. Deep into stoppage time, he fired a long-range effort that took a deflection, wrong-footing Vargas and finding the back of the net. The stadium erupted as Brazil celebrated a dramatic victory.
The win keeps Brazil second in the qualifiers with 21 points, four behind Argentina. However, they will be without key players Gabriel Magalhães and Bruno Guimarães in the next fixture due to suspensions. Colombia, meanwhile, drops to sixth place and will need a strong response in their upcoming match against Paraguay to keep their qualification hopes alive.
