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Brazil needed two late goals to secure a 2-1 comeback victory over Colombia in the Copa America.
Luiz Diaz's 10th minute strike put Colombia ahead, but Roberto Firmino equalized for Brazil with 12 minutes to go. Casemiro then scored a dramatic winner in the ninth minute of injury time.
Brazil made five changes to the side that saw off Peru on Friday. Alisson, Richarlison and captain Marquinhos were all among those to be drafted back into the starting line-up.
Colombia broke the deadlock with their first chance of the game. Juan Cuadrado sent a delightful cross into the box and Diaz was on hand to finish with a superb bicycle kick.
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Brazil dominated the first half but struggled to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances as the hosts went into the break with a deficit.
The second half was practically one-way traffic as the five-time world champions continued to push forward in search of an equalizer. Brazil came close to equalizing when Neymar hit the post after rounding David Ospina.
Although Colombia defended resolutely, Brazil got a deserved leveler when two of their substitutes combined to equalize in the 78th minute.
Renan Lodi sent a precise cross into the box that evaded the heads of all the Colombia defenders. Roberto Firmino, however, timed his run to perfection and glanced a downward header into the back. His effort evaded Ospina, who should have done better.
There were vociferous complaints from the Colombian players about the validity of the goal as Neymar's attempted through ball was deflected off referee Nestor Pitana.
The Argentine referee - who officiated the 2018 FIFA World Cup final - asked for clarity from his VAR team. After a lengthy review, the goal was allowed to stand.
The Colombian players continued to voice their displeasure, led by captain and goalkeeper David Ospina.
The referee, however, did not have any of that and booked the Napoli man for dissent.
Considering all the stoppages in the game, it came as no surprise when the scoreboard showed that 10 minutes of injury time were to be added. A last-ditch corner kick was taken by Neymar from which Casemiro rose highest to score the winner.
Here are five talking points from the game.
#5 Brazil secure top spot in Group B
Brazil, the defending champions, ended their 12-year Copa America drought with a ninth continental crown on home turf two years ago.
The Selecao, who are overwhelming favorites to retain the title, have shown their statement of intent with their group stage displays so far.
Brazil and Colombia had already guaranteed progress to the knockout round ahead of the kickoff. But there was the not-so-small matter of first place to decide in the group.
As it happened, it was the the home side that got the job done and winning the group sets them on a different course to eternal rivals Argentina. This leaves the door open for a potential Clásico del Atlántico tournament decider in July.
#4 Impressive Casemiro shows his value at both ends
Casemiro is unarguably one of the finest holding midfielders of his generation. His effectiveness in shielding the defense has been integral to Real Madrid's successes.
He has also translated that form onto the international scene in recent times, having initially struggled to perform at an optimum level for Brazil.
So far in the tournament, the 29-year-old has done his duties admirably. He has been one of Brazil's better players in the two games he has completed.
The former Porto man spent much of the game breaking up any attempted forward forays from the Colombia attackers.
Casemiro has also improved on his goalscoring output since last year. He stepped up to score a vital winner for his country with practically the last kick of the game.
#3 Dubious equalizer from Brazil
The Colombian players were incensed that Brazil's equalizer was allowed to stand, and they were well within their right to express outrage.
Neymar attempted to thread the ball through the defense in the buildup to the goal. But his pass ended up taking a big deflection off referee Nestor Pitana. This, in turn, set the ball in Lodi's path.
In years gone by, play was allowed to go on after the ball hit the referee regardless of him/her changing the trajectory of the ball and/or team in possession.
However, the updated rules of the game state if the ball deflects off a match official and changes the team in possession, the referee is mandated to stop play and proceed with a drop ball favoring the team who lost possession.
Herein lies the crucial point of Colombia's protests. Neymar's attempted pass could very well have been intercepted by a horde of Colombian defenders between the ball and the intended target.
However, Pitana's deflection proved to be a sliding door moment that helped Brazil score their equalizer.
The referee had seemingly wanted to stop play after the ball deflected off him. But he changed his mind upon seeing that Brazil were still in possession.
Technically, the team in possession of the ball did not change so the referee was well within his right to allow play on. However, a potential interception by a Colombian defender before the referee's deflection paints a different picture.
This is one of those gray areas where the interpretation of the law is left at the referee's discretion. And while Pitana stood his ground to award Brazil the goal, another referee might have overruled it.
#2 Casemiro's strike ensures that Brazil keep up impressive winning run
Brazil have been rejuvenated in the last few years. The five-time world champions have not tasted defeat since suffering a 1-0 defeat to Argentina in a friendly in November 2019.
That defeat completed a five-game winless streak for Brazil but they have not looked back since.
They came into the clash with Colombia on a run of nine consecutive victories. And with seconds to go, it looked like their winning run was about to come to an end.
However, Casemiro had other ideas and his last-gasp strike saw Brazil claim a 10th international victory on the bounce.
#1 Did Gabriel Jesus do enough to retain his starting spot for Brazil?
Big things were expected from Gabriel Jesus when he came through the Palmeiras academy.
While team success has been won aplenty at Manchester City, there is a gnawing feeling that Jesus has not done enough on a personal level. This much is evident as the Citizens are reportedly lining up a move for Harry Kane following the departure of Sergio Aguero.
Having recently turned 24, the Sao Paulo native is expected to be entering the peak of his career. But he has hit a bit of a snag in recent years.
The situation is not much different on the international scene where Tite has persisted with him as one of his focal points in attack. The show of faith has not been reciprocated and Gabriel Jesus is currently on a run of 11 games without a goal for his national team.
The last time the Manchester City man scored for Brazil was in the 2019 Copa America final. His cause was made worse when Roberto Firmino stepped off the bench to score an equalizer.
At this rate, coach Tite might have to start reconsidering his attacking options.
