“Only the VAR and he did not see the penalty” - Brazil coach Dorival hits out at referee after draw with Colombia at 2024 Copa America
Brazil coach Dorival Junior has hit out at a referee for denying his side a penalty in their 1-1 draw with Colombia at the 2024 Copa America.
The Canaries missed the chance to win Group D and finished as the runners-up, which set up a daunting fixture against Uruguay in the quarter-finals.
Raphinha put them in front with a spectacular effort from a free-kick after only 12 minutes into their tie. However, Daniel Munoz equalized for Los Cafeteros in the added minutes of the opening stanza.
Midway through the first half, Brazil also saw calls for a penalty waved away as Vinicius Junior was brought down inside the area by Munoz. Replays showed the Colombian defender making contact with the player's shin instead of the ball, and Dorival felt it was a clear penalty.
In his post-match address, he slammed the match official for it, saying:
“The referee was not decisive. Especially because, inside the stadium, only the VAR and he did not see the penalty, which was undoubtedly a penalty. It happened, there was no reaction from anyone. If the score had been a little higher, a little wider, the actions could have been different."
Brazil were leading 1-0 in the contest at the time, but Colombia responded soon after through Munoz himself, who latched onto a cut-back from Jhon Cordoba. Racing towards the ball, the right-back made a brilliant first-time finish beyond an onrushing Alisson to make it 1-1.
Both sides continued to push for a winner in the second half, but to no avail. The draw, however, impact neither side's progression, as Brazil and Colombia both reached the last eight of the 2024 Copa America.
Brazil face Uruguay in last-18; unbeaten Colombia take on Panama
Brazil take on a spirited Uruguay in a high-octane clash on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals of the 2024 Copa America. For the record, the Celestes won all three of their group matches. They struck nine times in three games while conceding just once.
Moreover, their last encounter, coming in October 2023, saw Uruguay beat Brazil 2-0 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier for their first win in the fixture in 22 years, ending a 12-game drought.
On the other hand, high-flying Colombia take on minnows Panama, a match in which they are overwhelming favorites to win. Los Cafeteros are unbeaten in their last 25 games, winning 10 of their last 11 in all competition. A second consecutive semi-final appearance in the Copa America appears likely for them.