Brazil snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Colombia in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier, thanks to a 99th-minute winner from Vinícius Júnior:
Both teams entered the match desperate for a win after a frustrating November international break. Colombia had stumbled with losses to Uruguay and Ecuador, while Brazil managed only draws against Venezuela and Uruguay. With both sides eager to bounce back, the clash in Brazil promised intensity and drama.
The hosts wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Just six minutes into the game, Vinícius Júnior’s electric burst into the box drew a reckless challenge from Daniel Muñoz, resulting in a penalty. Raphinha stepped up confidently, sending the ball past the goalkeeper and giving Brazil an early 1-0 lead.
Brazil maintained control for most of the first half, but Colombia found a way back just before halftime. A moment of brilliance from Luis Díaz saw the [Liverpool](https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/) forward strike a low shot into the bottom right corner, leveling the match at 1-1. The goal shifted momentum and set the stage for a tightly contested second half.
While both teams boasted an array of top talent from Europe’s elite leagues, the finishing touch proved elusive. The second half was marked by missed chances and resolute defending. It seemed the points would be shared until Vinícius Júnior took matters into his own hands in the dying moments.
In the 99th minute, the [Real Madrid](https://www.managingmadrid.com) star unleashed a speculative effort from outside the box. A deflection left the Colombian goalkeeper helpless as the ball sailed into the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The last-gasp winner secured all three points for Brazil, propelling them to second place in the CONMEBOL standings.
X user idoxvi uploaded a compilation of Vinicius’s best moments from the game: