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Brazil face Colombia in their final Group D match on Tuesday. The Seleção, who drew 0-0 with Costa Rica but subsequently thrashed Paraguay 4-1, sit second in the group, two points behind Los Cafeteros, who have won both of their matches.
Indeed, Néstor Lorenzo’s team are on a 25-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but Guimarães is eager to put a stop to that exceptional form.
“Colombia are a stone in our shoe that we’re going to try to get out of our way in the next game,” said the Newcastle United midfielder. “They have a lot of players who can decide things individually, they’re a very physical team, good to play against.
“[But] 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.”
The Seleção, runners-up in 2021, have gone nine group stage matches without a defeat in the Copa America (six wins, three draws), their second-longest unbeaten streak in this phase, surpassed only by 10 unbeaten games between 1993 and 1999 (10 wins).
After seven matches without a win against Brazil in all competitions (three draws, four losses), Colombia defeated them in their last encounter and are seeking consecutive victories against the Seleção for the first time in their history.
Colombia are unlikely to be intimidated by their opponents either.
But while this Brazil squad might not be overflowing with superstars like past iterations, Real Madrid duo Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo certainly add a sprinkle of stardust up top.
And Guimarães believes the pair are comparable to two Selecao greats in terms of their importance to the team.
“Vini and Rodrygo are our Ronaldo and Ronaldinho,” he said, as quoted by AS. “Back in those days, I loved Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka. We want to bring that back with Vini and Rodrygo.”
Colombia beat Brazil 2-1 in World Cup qualifying last year, with Luis Díaz scoring a brace.
And Lorenzo, whose side are already sure of their place in the quarter-finals, understands how much another victory over the nine-time Copa America champions would mean to the country.
“I know our fans are excited, and who am I to [question] people’s emotions,” he said.
“We are also excited, so let’s enjoy it.”