Colombia steal a point from Brazil
Barranquilla, Colombia, Oct 10 (EFE).- Brazil dropped points here Sunday for the first time in the South American qualifiers for World Cup 2022, forced to settle for a 0-0 draw with Colombia, who held off Neymar & Co thanks to a heroic performance from goalkeeper David Ospina.
Tite’s squad, with 28 points from 10 matches, remain overwhelming favorites to qualify, while the Colombians are in fifth place on 15 points.
The hosts tried to take the initiative, but the Brazilians soon established their dominance and would end the evening with 64 percent possession.
Neymar looked poised to score on a powerful right-footed strike, only for Ospina to swat the ball away.
The Brazil captain combined again and again with Alex Sandro and Lucas Paqueta to make life miserable for the Colombian back-line.
On one of those occasions, Neymar took advantage of a giveaway by Johan Mujica to filter a pass to Paqueta only to see the midfielder send his shot wide.
In the 32nd minute, Fred got the ball unmarked in front of Ospina, but fired over the cross-bar.
The home side’s first genuine chance didn’t materialize until 63rd minute, when second-half sub Matheus Uribe forced a stop from Brazil keeper Alisson Becker, who later had to be sharp to deny Juan Fernando Quintero.
After making a creditable stop against Raphinha, Ospina outdid himself by knocking down an effort from close range by Antony in the 84th minute to secure the point for Colombia. EFE
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