vs. Location: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla Brazil roster: Goleiros Alisson (Roma) Weverton (Atlético-PR) Ederson (Benfica) Zagueiros Gil (Shandong Luneng) Marquinhos (PSG) Jemerson (Monaco) Thiago Silva (PSG) Laterais Fagner (Corinthians) Filipe Luis (Atlético de Madri) Alex Sandro (Juventus) Mariano (Sevilla) Meio-campo Casemiro (Real Madrid) Diego (Flamengo) Fernandinho (Manchester City) Giuliano (Zenit) Paulinho (Guangzhou Evergrande) Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Renato Augusto (Beijing ) Willian (Chelsea) Atacantes Diego Souza (Sport) Douglas Costa (Bayern de Munique) Firmino (Liverpool) Neymar (Barcelona) Thanks to a relatively tranquil 2-0 win over Ecuador in Porto Alegre, the Brazilian national team visits neighboring Colombia after assuring the #1 spot in 2018 CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying – a distinction it has earned for the third time since the "every team vs. every team" system was adopted, and the only team to do so on qualifying competitions where every CONMEBOL team participated. With 36 points, Brazil is further ahead from the rest of the pack. Colombia is the head of that pack, but it struggled more than predicted at last-ranked and eliminated Venezuela. More than a few observers were surprised that Colombia failed to score and the single point salvaged in a 0-0 draw. With a victory, Colombia would stand at 27 points; thanks to the result, however, Colombia is likely to drop in the standings. This will be an interesting confrontation in what will be the most recent chapter in a number of notable Brazil-Colombia matches. 3 years ago, a Colombian player kneed Neymar in the back and kept him out of the rest of the 2014 World Cup. Neymar then lost his cool and Brazil lost 1-0 against Colombia in the 2015 Copa América, but Brazil did get some revenge by ousting Colombia at home en route to the 2016 Olympic men's gold medal. More recently, last year and at home, Brazil defeated Colombia in a disputed 2-1 win. An interesting aspect will be the tactical duel between two accomplished tacticians. José Pekerman was lauded by many in his country as one of the finer managers to lead his NT in many years, and Pekerman appears to be on his way back to the World Cup, albeit with Colombia. Tite outmanaged him in 2016 in Colombia, but every match is a new situation. And, given the parity of the other CONMEBOL team's point totals, Colombia cannot afford to lose any points. Even a draw might prove pivotal later in ensuring Colombia gets a direct spot in Russia. Brazil's roster will be slightly different from that deployed in Rio Grande do Sul. Marcelo was suspended and Miranda was released following a head collision; in their places, Tite has selected Jemerson and Alex Sandro. This match will be the 6 WCQ confrontation between the two teams on Colombian soil. Incidentally, this will be the 3rd straight match occurring in Barranquilla; the first 3 were in Bogotá. 10/14/2007: 0-0 09/07/2006: 1-2, Ronaldo & Kaká 03/28/2000: 0-0 02/20/1977: 0-0 08/06/1969: 0-2, Tostão (2)
So we go with : Alisson- D. Alves, T. Silva, Marquinhos, F. Luis- Paulinho, R. Augusto, Casemiro- Willian, G. Jesus, Neymar And I'm prediction a 1-1 draw!! We always have it hard when we play in Colombia!!
I want to see if Giuliano is still worthy of being called up!! Cause he was performing greatly at Zenit(made them forget about Hulk) only to wound up in Turkey for the 'Bache!!
OFFICIAL XI vs Colombia: Alisson; Alves, Marquinhos, T.Silva, F.Luís; Paulinho, Fernandinho, Renato; Willian, Roberto Firmino, Neymar.
Golaço indeed. William with a perfectly timed volley right outside the box after a back-pass by Neymar.
Incredible strike from Willian. However, ANY scoreline should be fine as long as Brazil can come of that butcher shop unscathed.
They haven't been dirty IMO. Not a bad game overall from them. If Cuadrado was a smarter player, they could if cause us more problems I think.
Definitely agree on that one. His "rare" gols were all that kept him on the team in any constructive way in my opinion. But hey, if his rare gols happen during a WC, don't mind my thoughts on him hehehe.