The Estadio Nacional Mané Garrincha witnessed a dramatic and controversial climax last night as Brazil snatched a 2-1 victory against a resilient Colombian side in their FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
A moment of brilliance from Vinícius Júnior in the 99th minute sent the home crowd into raptures, but the aftermath of the goal brought a familiar talking point to the fore: the gamesmanship of top-level football and, surprisingly, the intervention of a Premier League hothead.
Brazil started brightly, taking the lead in the 6th minute when Raphinha calmly slotted home a penalty after Vinícius Júnior was brought down in the box.
The early goal seemed to settle the nerves of the Seleção, but Colombia, showing the tenacity that has characterized their qualifying campaign, gradually clawed their way back into the contest.
Their efforts were rewarded just four minutes before halftime when a delightful passing move culminated in Luis Díaz finding the back of the net, courtesy of an assist from the experienced James Rodríguez.
The second half was a tense affair, with both teams probing for a winner but struggling to break down resolute defenses.
As the clock ticked down, a draw seemed inevitable, much to the frustration of the Brazilian faithful.
However, in the dying embers of the game, Vinícius Júnior produced a moment of magic.
This Vinicius Jr goal is insane.
— TC (@totalcristiano) March 21, 2025pic.twitter.com/SvISQtVQuN
Picking up the ball just outside the Colombian penalty area, he unleashed a breathtaking curling shot that nestled perfectly into the top corner, sparking wild celebrations and securing a vital three points for Brazil.
But the drama didn’t end there. In a clear attempt to run down the clock, Brazil manager Dorival Jr substituted the match-winner in the 100th minute.
Instead of taking the most direct route off the pitch, Vinícius opted for a leisurely stroll across the width of the field, much to the annoyance of the Colombian players who felt he was deliberately wasting time.
Tempers flared as the Colombian players, understandably frustrated, confronted the referee and the Brazilian winger.
In a surprising turn of events, it was Brazil’s Matheus Cunha who stepped in as peacemaker.
You know things are really bad with Vinicius when a player like Matheus Cunha has to talk sense into him.pic.twitter.com/4VX8pMiiDe
— Total Football (@TotalFootbol) March 21, 2025
It's really bad when you are receiving a lecture on how to behave on the pitch from Cunha of all people.
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) March 22, 2025https://t.co/5dM366eHSa
Cunha, alongside Raphinha, actively urged Vinícius to leave the field with more urgency, seemingly attempting to defuse the growing tension and prevent any unnecessary escalation.
Cunha’s intervention was particularly noteworthy given his own reputation for on-field volatility this season in the Premier League.
The Wolves forward has become a familiar figure in the headlines for the wrong reasons, with his fiery temperament often boiling over.
Just last month, in March 2025, Cunha saw red during an FA Cup tie against Bournemouth.
Matheus Cunha punched, headbutted and kicked Milos Kerkez leading to a red card
— CBS Sports Golazopic.twitter.com/vqep1CtD6x
(@CBSSportsGolazo) March 1, 2025
His dismissal for violent conduct, involving punches, kicks, and even a headbutt on Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, resulted in a hefty four-match ban and a £50,000 fine. This incident was a stark reminder of his propensity for losing his cool under pressure.
Furthermore, back in December 2024, following a league defeat to Ipswich Town, Cunha was reportedly involved in a heated exchange with an Ipswich coach, allegedly elbowing him and even pulling off his glasses in frustration. While the FA may have taken action behind the scenes, the incident further solidified his image as a player with disciplinary concerns.
#cunha with a snide driving elbow to the back of an #Ipswich coaches head, followed by grabbing his face and glasses. Great player but you can’t do that @FA_PGMOL #WOLIPS pic.twitter.com/0cGI4SGwj9
— Funkyrobot™(@Funkyrob0t) December 15, 2024
Indeed, Cunha’s on-field antics have reportedly made potential suitors wary. Arsenal, for instance, were rumored to have cooled their interest in the talented Brazilian forward due to his questionable disciplinary record, despite acknowledging his undoubted ability on the pitch.
Therefore, seeing Matheus Cunha play the role of peacemaker last night came as a surprise to many. Whether this signifies a change in his approach or was simply a calculated effort to ensure Brazil saw out the victory remains to be seen.
Regardless, Brazil will be relieved to have secured a crucial win that propels them to second place in the CONMEBOL qualifying standings, keeping their hopes of reaching the next World Cup firmly on track.
