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| Luiz would be the savior for Brazil. Photo Credit: Martin Rickett/PA |
Despite losing to Neymar late in the second half and conceding a late penalty kick goal by Colombia, Brazil advanced to the semifinals with a 2-1 victory. David Luiz’s spectacular free kick from distance that landed in upper right corner of the game at the 69th minute would turn out to be the difference maker in the end.
By: Sunil Sunderraj
In the first half, Brazil ratcheted the pressure up immediately on Colombia as they came out with great pace and ball movement. Five minutes into the match, Brazil created their first great scoring opportunity.It came on a on a crossing shot by Maicon that landed on top of the goal net. It was a sign that Brazil was set to strike and be very active offensively.
Two minutes later,Brazil would finally break through.On a perfectly placed corner kick shot by Neymar, the shot landed perfectly in the box where Thiago Silva left footed a shot off his knee into the bottom right corner of net making the score 1-0. It completed a start to the match that they could not have scripted better.
Brazil continue to pepper Colombia’s goal keeper David Ospina with back to back strikes. The first was by Hulk, whos left footed blast tforce Ospina to make a big save.The second was by Oscar, who ripped a shot that forced Ospina to dive to his left to knock the ball away and keep Colombia within striking distance of Brazil.
Hulk continued to make an impact for Brazil at the 27th minute, settling the ball down in the box and possessing before snapping a shot that Ospina had to range to his right for the diving stop.
Silva made a costly mistake in the 64th minute, earning a yellow card that will force him to miss the next match. It was a foul that was silly of SIlva to commit and one that could cost his team dearly in the next round..
As for Neymar, he would go down in the 87th minute with a lower body injury and had to be carted off into the tunnel. He would not return for the rest of the match. Unfortunately for Brazil, Neymar’s injury will prevent him from competing for the remainder of the World Cup.
Colombia cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 80th minute when James Rodriguez stutter stepped and deposited the ball in the lower left corner. Rodriguez became the 1st player since Ronaldo in 2002 to score more than five goals in one World Cup.
Brazil’s goalkeeper Julio Cesar tripped up Carlos Bacca in the box which led to the penalty shot for Colombia. One that Colombia would cash in on and give themselves new life in the match. But it would prove to be too late as Brazil was able to hang on and clinch victory.
Brazil squares off with Germany on July 8th at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte. Brazil leads the series 12-5-4 and outscoring Germany 39-24. 