Final Scoreline for Match 58 (ROUND OF 8 #2):
BRAZIL - 2
(T. Silva 7', David Luiz 69')
COLOMBIA - 1
(Rodriguez 80' PK)
Fast, furious and frenetic - just the way me (and most soccer fans) love their football! Two relentless, aggressive and uber-attacking teams at each other, made for some spectacular viewing.
Brazil really upped their game for this match, after the disappointing show in the previous game against Chile. They attacked all through both halves, and captain Thiago Silva took them ahead in the 7th minute itself, converting a Neymar corner kick "accidentally" into a surprise goal. Brazil's skipper was booked in the second half as well, and with the yellow card booking he was already carrying, will now miss the semi-final clash against Germany.
David Luiz's superb long range free kick curled away from the Colombian keeper to thunder into the nets in the 69th minute, and Brazil were up 2-0. Colombia had to do something and fast, but most of James Rodriguez's superb passes ultimately died down, with almost no support from other players. A foul by Brazil's keeper Cesar ensured a penalty kick in the 80th minute which was duly converted, but Colombia just couldn't find another goal to equalise in the next 15 minutes (including 5 minutes of added time).
Brazil were dealt another severe blow in the 88th minute as well. A high knee to the back of Neymar saw the master player go down in agonising pain, and was immediately stretched off the field.
Subsequent off-field news is that he has broken a vertebrae, and will miss the rest of WC 2014. A huge, huge blow to Brazil's chances.
Colombia were excellent so far, but simply not good enough when it mattered the most. Brazil now go on to meet Germany in the semi-finals, but now minus Thiago Silva & Neymar, and will require plenty of inspiration and effort to give the Germans a run for their money.