Leeds United ace Raphinha makes another big impact in second Brazil outing alongside Neymar in Colombia draw - YEP 11/10/21
Leeds United winger Raphinha made another big impact for Brazil as a second-half substitute in Sunday evening's World Cup qualifier against Colombia in Barranquilla which somehow ended in a goalless draw.
By Lee Sobot
Raphinha was named on the bench despite his brilliant
showing in Friday's 3-1 win in Venezuela in which he bagged two assists and
started the move for Brazil's penalty.
Neymar, who missed that contest through suspension, lined up
as part of a front line that also included Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Barbosa
but Brazil created only limited chances in the first half.
Colombia squandered a good opening in the third minute when
Yerry Mina put a free header wide but a fierce drive from Neymar then stung the
gloves of David Ospina.
Neymar also played in Lucas Paqueta who put an excellent
chance just wide of the post before Fred sent a shot over from just inside the
box.
The first half ended goalless and Brazil boss Tite opted
against making any changes during the break but Raphinha was finally called for
in the 61st minute to replace Barbosa.
The Whites star went straight to the right flank as part of
a front line that also included Neymar and Jesus as well as Lucas Paqueta.
Colombia then went close after Raphinha's introduction with
Alisson making a strong save to keep out a long-range drive from Juan Quintero.
Ajax winger Antony and Thiago Silva then replaced Jesus and
Eder Militao in the 71st minute as Tite opted to use his last two substitutes.
Raphinha surged into the box in the 7t6h minute before being
knocked down but the challenge was deemed fair.
One minute later, the Whites winger cut inside and unleashed
a fierce left-footed drive that Ospina kept out with a flying save.
Raphinha was completely free as Brazil broke clear in the
80th minute but the ball was worked to Paqeuta who skewed a harmless shot wide.
A brilliant defence-splitting cross from Raphinha then
picked out Antony whose effort from point-blank range was tipped over through a
superb save from Ospina.
More sublime skill from the Whites winger then took him to
the by line from where he produced a perfect pull back for Neymar who failed to
control the pass meaning the opening was gone.
Brazil were then given four minutes to find a winner and,
for once, the Whites winger lost the ball after some more tricks on the right
wing.
The Whites ace was soon back probing away and made his way
into the area in the 93rd minute but Colombia cleared.
The hosts then squandered a fine chance to bag a late winner
with practically the last kick of the game as Rafael Borre ballooned a shot
from the edge of the box over the bar.
It meant the contest finished goalless, Brazil dropping
points for the first time in the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.
It might have been different had Raphinha started as the
Whites star was again the stand out player in just 30 minutes on the pitch.
