da marjack bet： Los Cafeteros are out to prove their form is no fluke – and a Copa America result against Brazil would do just that
da bet esporte： The Colombia men’s national team is the unexpected gem of international soccer at the moment. Luis Diaz is beyond exceptional, James Rodriguez is undergoing a resurgence of outstanding form and bright up-and-coming stars such as Jhon Duran and Yaser Asprilla are bursting onto the scene in Europe.
They overcame a disastrous 2022 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying cycle, at which they missed out on playing in Qatar, and now are the hottest team in the world. Truly, there is not one team that can touch their form at the moment.
Los Cafeteros have not lost an international match since February 2022. They’re riding a 25-match unbeaten streak, including brilliant victories over Spain, Brazil, Germany, the USMNT and results against Uruguay and Ecuador. They’ve been the most dominant side in international soccer over the past two years — and yet, what do that have to show for it?
Copa America can change that.
They have a chance to prove their form isn't just lucky circumstance, a chance to show that this generation of players is here to compete for every title in every competition they play in.
Up next? Brazil, again.
They clash with the Selecao Tuesday night in their third and final group stage match of the 2024 competition. A win or a draw and they top Group D, and officially claim a spot as true and fair title contenders.
GOAL examines what makes this Los Cafeteros side so special, and how they are poised to make a deep Copa America run.
Getty ImagesA disaster in 2022
Colombia’s last loss came at the hands of Lionel Messi’s Argentina. LA Albiceleste’s current Copa America hero, Lautaro Martinez, bagged the lone goal in a 1-0 victory against Los Cafeteros on Feb. 1, 2022.
The result doomed this team. They finished sixth in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, trailing Peru by one point, and by three to Ecuador, who automatically qualified for the marquee event in Qatar. By just one point Colombia missed out on competing in an eventual intercontinental playoff between CONMEBOL and Oceania, a match that featured Peru vs Australia, with the latter coming out on top 5-4 in penalty kicks. It was a devastating blow to the program, but with it came monumental change. Just more than two months after that loss to Argentina, manager Reinaldo Rueda was sacked and current boss Nestor Lorenzo was appointed. And since?
Clearly Los Cafeteros took that result against La Albiceleste personally, and their opposition has paid the price since.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesRedemption
With a remarkable stretch of 25 matches unbeaten, Colombia have not found themselves on the negative side of a result since that fateful match against Argentina. They’ve won 20 of those 25 contests, and have climbed to the 12th overall spot in FIFA’s men’s international team rankings.
In international friendlies, they’ve beaten the likes of Spain, Germany and the USMNT, out-scoring those three nations – all of whom are ranked higher than Los Cafeteros by FIFA – by a combined score of 8 to 1.
In CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying for the 2026 edition of the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, Colombia sits third – only trailing the likes of Uruguay and the reigning World Champions, Argentina.
The only unbeaten team in qualifying, they’ve obtained 12 out of a possible 18 points, with La Albiceleste just ahead with 15, and Uruguay at 13. Colombia have yet to face Lionel Messi and Co. in qualifying, but they managed a brilliant 2-2 draw against Darwin Nunez and La Celeste last fall.
As impressive as that result was, it didn’t compare to the emotional evening on Nov. 16, when Luis Diaz bagged a four-minute brace to secure an astonishing 2-1 victory over Brazil on the road at Estadio Metropolitano – the first time they had ever defeated them in WCQ.
The emotions on the night arrived through Diaz, who was in tears at full-time celebrating with his father watching on from the stands. Just days before the match, his father was freed by Guerillas after he was kidnapped in the north of the country in late October. Held captive for nearly two weeks, upon being free, Diaz’ father came to watch his son make history for Los Cafeteros.
Getty ImagesSuperstars leading the way
Diaz isn’t the only superstar leading the sudden charge from Colombia. They are a well-oiled machine which operates as one brilliant unit from one end of the pitch to the other.
Of course, it helps having stars.
The biggest and boldest name from the country over the past decade was James Rodriguez. A wonder-goal at the 2014 World Cup set his career ablaze, and since, he’s captained his country across rocky terrain in South America. Of late, he’s had a resurgence of form, and the 32-year-old is playing like he’s in his early 20s again.
He netted a goal and notched an assist last fall in that incredible draw against Uruguay, and followed it up with the game-winning assist on Diaz against the Selecao.
Fast-forward to 2024, and he’s been their best player at Copa America 2024. With three assists in just two matches, he’s had a sensational return for Los Cafeteros, helping them to an unbeaten start to the tournament.
A hard-fought 2-1 victory over Paraguay opened their Copa run, and they followed it up with a hammering of Costa Rica, defeating Los Ticos 3-0. Rodriguez found himself on the scoresheet in both matches, while Diaz shined on matchday two with his first goal of the tournament.
Their star duo have turned up to the U.S. with vigor, and they look like the side most to be reckoned with through the group stage. They have one foe left yet, though, and it’s a familiar one: Brazil.
Getty ImagesA dance with the Selecao
The Selecao are out to prove something to CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and the footballing world at Copa America 2024. Without Neymar available due to injury, Brazil have been tasked with finding a new identity this summer. Newly appointed manager Dorival Junior is trying to lead his nation back to glory, and back to the top of the Copa America podium.
It hasn’t quite gone to plan.
The Selecao were held to a 0-0 draw by Costa Rica in their opening match. Against Paraguay, the flood gates eventually opened, but it was a rather unconvincing 4-1 victory even with the scoreline in their favor. A result against Colombia would change that.
Defeating Los Cafeteros would indicate that this current, young, crop of Selecao footballers – Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Endrick – have what it takes to become the kings of CONMEBOL once again. Following Los Cafeteros victory against Costa Rica, manager Nestor Lorenzo shared that there is a real sense of excitement behind their current run of form, so much so that it even has him buzzing.
"I know our fans are excited," he said, "and who am I to give advices to people's emotions. We are also excited, so let's enjoy it.”
Brazil’s Bruno Guimares, meanwhile, views Colombia as a real threat as the Selecao look to earn the top spot in Group D on matchday three.
"Colombia are a stone in our shoe which we're going to try to get it out of our way in the next game," Guimaraes said Sunday. "They have a lot of players who can decide things individually, they're a very physical team, good to play against. This is the Brazilian national team shirt we are talking about.
"It's going to be a great test for us, a great game that we want to win to finish first (in the group). That's what is required when you wear Brazil's shirt."