MONTEVIDEO: Vinicius Junior struck a dramatic winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 win over Colombia in their South American World Cup qualifier on Thursday, helping his team and millions of fans avoid more disappointment.

Five-time world champions Brazil appeared destined for a third consecutive 1-1 draw after a Luis Diaz canceled out Raphinha’s early opener for the hosts in capital Brasilia but Colombia ultimately sunk by the Real Madrid winger’s long-range winner.

The victory lifted Brazil to second in South American qualifying with 21 points, four behind leaders Argentina and one ahead of Uruguay in third, both of whom have a game in hand.

The top six qualify directly for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the seventh place offering passage via further rounds of qualifiers, and the victory released some pressure on Brazil coach Dorival Junior ahead of next week’s game against Argentina.

Dorival Jr said the win was key “because of our moment, our situation and for our process”. “We’re feeling now that we are on a path. It’s not all ideal, but we will be improving every round.”

Brazil started strong and grabbed the lead within six minutes through a Raphinha penalty after Vinicius Jr was fouled inside the box by Daniel Munoz.

But Brazil hit a wall after that and other than an angled strike from Rodrygo that sailed wide of the post in the 13th minute, they couldn’t create any real scoring opportunities.

They were also exposed to regular counterattacks with Colombia constantly threatening goalkeeper Alisson’s box.

In the 40th minute, James Rodriguez pounced on a lapse in concentration from Newcastle midfielder Joelinton, taking possession on the edge of the box and finding Diaz who fired into the bottom right corner to equalise.

Brazil came back livelier after the break and Vinicius Jr forced a fine save from Camilo Vargas with an early strike for inside the box.

But the pressure to find a goal appeared to take the wind out of their sails and as they wasted one chance after another, manager Dorival Jr, who took the job a year ago, grew increasingly forlorn on the sidelines.

His despair turned to joy in the dying moments when Vinicius unleashed a curling strike from the edge of the box that evaded Vargas’ and found the back of the net.

“Today’s goal is a bit of relief, a bit of happiness. Playing for the national team is something you can’t explain,” said Vinicius, “Every time we come here, it’s like it’s the first time.”

It was a bitter ending for a Colo­mbia side who sit in sixth place still with work to do in qualifying.

“We kept Brazil in their half, I think we deserved more again, but that’s the way it is. I have a lot of doubts about the refereeing decisions, which I’m not going to comment on,” said Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo. “We played a great game and came away with nothing again. We conceded a very early goal again.”

In other South American qualifiers on Thursday, Paraguay beat bottom-placed Chile 1-0 in Asuncion, a result that left La Roja rooted to the bottom of the table.

Omar Alderete scored the winner on the hour with a classic Paraguayan strategy: a set piece led to two headers that enabled Alderete to shoot from close range. It boosted Paraguay’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup. Paraguay have 20 points and are fourth in the standings.

Veteran 41-year-old striker Pao­lo Guerrero was on target as Peru beat Bolivia 3-1 to move off the bottom.

Andy Polo opened the scoring in the 37th minute before Guerrero found the target on the stroke of half-time.

Bolivia pulled one back with a Miguel Terceros penalty in the 58th minute before Edison Flores restored the two-goal cushion in the 82nd minute.

Bolivia remain in seventh place with 13 points, which keeps the team in contention for inter-continental playoffs for World Cup spots.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2025