In the duel of number 7 between Colombia and Brazil, Luis Diaz beat him Vinicius Junior. The end of the Liverpool (27 years old) prevailed in almost all individual parameters over the striker of real Madrid (23 years), denied from start to finish in Santa Clara. The match ended in a draw (1-1), but each team finished with very different feelings.
It allowed the coffee growers to retain the lead in Group D of the America’s Cup in the United Statesavoiding Uruguay in the quarter-finals, and extending their unbeaten streak to 26 matches, one away from equalling their all-time record.
The Brazilians were left with a bitter taste. Second draw, after a poor debut against Costa Rica (0-0), and second in the group. La Celeste, who have won three out of three, are seriously threatening their continuity in the tournament.
This time Vini was not the Vini of real Madridwhich amazed before Paraguay with a brace and a recital of dribbles. The former Flamengo player, with freedom in attack, had a “very difficult” marking, according to the Brazilian coach, Dorival Junior. “The defenses prevailed,” although “Colombia had more possession and volume of play,” he acknowledged.
Nevertheless, Luis Diaz The Colombian was able to stand out more. Both were on the pitch at Levi’s Stadium for 90 minutes until Lucho was replaced in stoppage time by Luis Sinisterra. However, the Colombian number 7 participated more in attack and made more effort in defence than his Brazilian counterpart, according to BeSoccer data.
The footballer of Liverpool He attempted more passes than Vini (22 vs. 11) and had a better success rate (95% – 82%). He also put more crosses into the box (3-2) and more effective ones (100% – 0%). Vini He did not have a single shot on target in 90 minutes and Díaz had one. The São Gonçalo native was only slightly better in terms of the percentage of successful dribbles (60% – 33%).
But the Colombian was also more involved in defensive tasks. Although he lost one more ball than the Brazilian (7-6), he far exceeded the individual defensive pressures carried out (13-5) and recovered more balls in the opponent’s half (5-2).
In addition, the five-time world champion’s number 7 saw a yellow card for leaving his arm James Rodriguez at the start of the match and will miss the quarter-finals against Uruguay due to an accumulation of cards.
At the end of the match, Vinicius He left without speaking with a serious expression and Fought He stood for a few seconds in the mixed zone. He dedicated the qualification to the quarterfinals as group winners to the thousands of fans who have been supporting them in the United States and asked them to keep “their feet on the ground.” “We are in that process of always moving forward,” said the player from La Guajira.
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Luis Diaz and Vinicius They already faced each other on November 16, 2023, in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, although for a short time. On that occasion, both were also starters, but Vini left the Metropolitano de Barranquilla in the 27th minute due to physical discomfort.
Colombia ended up winning a comeback against the Canarinha (2-1), with two goals in four minutes of the second half… Luis Diaz.
