World Cup Report: Brazil 2-1 Colombia

Brazil survived in the FIFA World Cup by the skin of their teeth for the second time in a week as they finished two one victors over Colombia in Fortaleza. Central defensive duo Thiago Silva and David Luiz put the Selecao two up before a James Rodriguez penalty put the pressure on late on.

With the pressure of a country on his back, Neymar dealt with it in typically quality fashion just seven minutes in. He worked hard to win a corner of Cristian Zapata before taking it himself. With the cross, he found the unmarked captain Silva and he proved his many doubters in the Brazilian media wrong by bundling home the cross for his first goal of the tournament.

David Ospina wasn’t taking his own kick outs due to an injury but he was more than able to keep the Selecao out twice in quick succession. Firstly Hulk broke through but his strike was less than Incredible and it was dealt with. The ball then fell to Oscar but his curling effort from the edge of the area was well held by the Colombian vice captain.

The seldom green Zenit St Petersburg winger again tested Ospina just before the half hour, his low drive tipped back into the area by the Barcelona stopper but it was hacked clear by defender Mario Yepes.

Six minutes after the break , Brazil’s set piece exploits were again on full show. Neymar crossed the ball in after it had been rolled to him by Silva. That cross found the head of David Luiz, who looped his effort inches over under pressure from Cristian Zapata.

Colombia had a couple of sights on goal but after his spectacular double in the last 16, Rodriguez almost set up Freddy Guarin for a similar effort. Pablo Armero chipped the ball across to them, Rodriguez lobbed it across to Guarin but the Internazionale midfielder’s volley was over.

After Thiago Silva got a silly yellow card which ruled him out of a potential semi final, Yepes thought he had brought Colombia level. Rodriguez swung in a free kick, it bounced around the area and eventually fell to Yepes. He smashed it home but it was controversially called back for offside despite the ball hitting Luiz on the way through.

The aforementioned Luiz broke Colombian hearts again moments later. Brazil won a free kick more than 30 yards from goal. Luiz placed the ball, and stepped up to take it. With his right foot he struck an effort that will be replayed throughout the ages in footballing circles. The dipping and diving free kick beating Ospina all ends up. A simply astounding goal.

12 minutes from time, a lifeline for Colombia. Carlos Bacca ran onto a Rodriguez pass and Cesar rushed out, upended him and the Spanish referee pointed to the spot. Rodriguez stepped up, stuttered on his run up and calmly slotted the ball beyond Cesar.

Despite pushing hard for the win, in the end Colombia could not find an opening in the Brazil rear guard. Neymar left the pitch late on with an injury and Thiago Silva is suspended for the Semi Final but they move on, nonetheless to Belo Horizonte on Tuesday to face Germany.

Brazil: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo; Fernandinho, Paulinho (Hernanes 86); Hulk (Ramires 82), Oscar, Neymar (Henrique 88); Fred

Subs not used: Jefferson (GK), Victor (GK), Dani Alves, Dante, Maxwell, Bernard, Willian, Jo.

Booked: Silva (64), Cesar (78)

Colombia: David Ospina; Camilo Zúñiga, Cristian Zapata, Mario Yepes, Pablo Armero; Carlos Sánchez, Freddy Guarín; Juan Cuadrado (Juan Quintero 80), James Rodriguez, Victor Ibarbo (Adrian Ramos 46); Teófilo Gutiérrez (Carlos Bacca 70).

Subs not used: Faryd Mondragon (GK), Camilo Vargas (GK), Eder Álvarez Balanta, Santiago Arias, Carlos Valdés, Abel Aguilar, Alex Mejía, Carlos Carbonero, Jackson Martinez.

Booked: Rodriguez (67), Yepes (72)

Referee: Carlos Velasco Caraballo

Attendance: 60,342

Extratime.com Man of the Match: David Luiz (Brazil)