Brazil defeated Colombia 2-1 at home. However, the five-time world champions brought on two extra players as substitutes that day. This has created curiosity. However, those who watched the match should have figured out the riddle. In total, Brazil had seven people sent off on the field that day. Although there was no violation of any rules.
After Brazil’s winning goal, coach Darival Jr. finally took Vinicius Jr. off. He was replaced by Leo Ortiz. He is the seventh substitute for the Seleção. Brazil brought on two extra players mainly due to concussions (injury substitutions). This is under the rules. In this match, midfielder García and goalkeeper Alisson Becker had to leave the field in the middle of the game due to injuries. As a result, someone had to be substituted for them. However, that would not fall under the normal substitutions.
According to the concussion protocol rules, any team is allowed to substitute an extra player if it is necessary to substitute a concussion. If a footballer suffers a head injury during the match, a new player can enter the field in his place. In addition, if a team subs a concussion, their opponents can also substitute an extra player. That is, there is still the possibility of replacing the player due to injury, and outside of that, the teams can make 5 changes as per the normal rules. Brazil made an extra substitution due to Alisson and Gerson’s concussion.
Before the match, the Seleção were already reeling from the loss of stars like Neymar, Ederson, and Danilo due to injuries. Then, Brazil goalkeeper Alisson and midfielder Gerson left the field with injuries in the match. Gerson had to leave the field with an injury in the 27th minute, and Joelinton was brought on in his place. Alisson suffered a head injury in a collision with Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez in the 71st minute. As a result, both had to leave the field. That’s why Matias Bento stepped in to handle the Brazilian goal.
Apart from this, Brazil brought in substitutes Vinicius, Venderson, Guimarães, Rodrigo and Matheus Cunha. Apart from this, Argentina was in danger of being eliminated from the match if they saw yellow cards on 10 players. Which came true in the case of two, Guimarães and Gabriel Magalhaes. In the midst of such a chaotic situation of injuries and yellow cards, Brazil won with a goal in the 98th minute.
Brazil took the lead in the penalty kick at the beginning of the match. Luis Diaz equalized Colombia by scoring a goal just before the break. However, Vinicius delighted the home crowd with a powerful shot from outside the box in the ninth minute of injury time. Brazil will next play their arch-rivals Argentina on March 26.
