Brazil came hard and fast but a stubborn Colombia held on to their slim one goal lead in a pulsating match at Santiago. The defeat ended Brazil’s 11-match winning streak and gave Chile the satisfaction of avenging their defeat against the same opponents at the World Cup last year.
Dunga, the Brazil coach, has every reason to be livid at his team. Time and time again, they were wasteful in front of goal, squandering away chances, very unlike the great Brazil teams of old. Colombia, for their part, have every reason to be thrilled with this performance – they were dour in their opener against Venezuela but have bounced back strongly.
Despite the lack of goals, there was notable ill-feeling between the sides, carrying on from their World Cup encounter where Neymar was injured by a sickening foul. A total of 39 fouls were committed while a bust-up after the final whistle rang out, resulting in red cards each for Neymar and Colombian striker Carlos Bacca.
Woeful defence gifts Colombia the opening
Colombia were dominant in the opening exchanges with James Rodriguez at the forefront of each and every attack. Their physical style of gameplay had squeezed Brazil who didn’t know how to react. It was only when Neymar, the Selecao’s inspirational captain, dropped a little deeper that chances began to arise for Brazil.
Unfortunately, it was a pathetic defensive error which cost Brazil the goal in the 36th minute and eventually the game. Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado whipped in a routine free kick from the right. Brazil were caught napping and unable to clear. Jeison Murillo took full advantage of the loose ball and smashed it into goal.
Brazil squandered another great chance of drawing level just before half-time. Dani Alves thundered in on the right flank and delivered the perfect cross. Neymar timed his diving header to perfection, but somehow Colombian keeper David Ospina pulled off a save. To add insult to Brazil’s frustration, Neymar handled the rebound which resulted in the referee brandishing him with the yellow card. Being Neymar’s second yellow in the tournament and coupled with the red card shown to him later on, this might mean Neymar is in serious danger of missing the next few matches. At the very least, he will miss Brazil’s next game against Venezuela.
Brazil’s wastefulness in front of goal
But arguably, it was the miss in the 57th minute that will leave Dunga fuming. Murillo’s backpass to Ospina went completely awry which Elas latched on to. In the ensuing melee, the ball dropped at Firmino’s feet. With an open goal in front of him and the goal-keeper down on the turf, Firmino somehow contrived to send the ball over the bar. You really can’t get them any easier than that.
Carlos Sanchez and Valencia were at the heart of Colombia’s midfield continuously breaking up one Brazilian attack after another. Brazil enjoyed a considerable advantage in possession but were unable to make it count. Neymar was trying his best but a combination of tight man-marking and Colombian physicality was denying him a chance to break free.
It was Colombia who had a chance to add a second in the dying minutes – James Rodriguez, the Real Madrid star, unleashing a stunning, curling effort which just swerved a little too much to beat the far post. When the final whistled ended, temperatures flared. Neymar appeared to aim a head butt at Murillo which obviously wasn’t taken to very kindly by the Colombian players. Carlos Bacca rushed in and shoved Neymar away roughly. The referee immediately intervened and both the players saw red.
From the evidence of this match, Brazil still have a long way to go. Neymar will have to realise that since he is undisputedly Brazil’s best players, teams will have not have second thoughts about putting in heavy tackles on him. He must find a way to keep his temper in check.
Dunga, the Brazil coach, has every reason to be livid at his team. Time and time again, they were wasteful in front of goal, squandering away chances, very unlike the great Brazil teams of old. Colombia, for their part, have every reason to be thrilled with this performance – they were dour in their opener against Venezuela but have bounced back strongly.
Despite the lack of goals, there was notable ill-feeling between the sides, carrying on from their World Cup encounter where Neymar was injured by a sickening foul. A total of 39 fouls were committed while a bust-up after the final whistle rang out, resulting in red cards each for Neymar and Colombian striker Carlos Bacca.
Woeful defence gifts Colombia the opening
Colombia were dominant in the opening exchanges with James Rodriguez at the forefront of each and every attack. Their physical style of gameplay had squeezed Brazil who didn’t know how to react. It was only when Neymar, the Selecao’s inspirational captain, dropped a little deeper that chances began to arise for Brazil.
Unfortunately, it was a pathetic defensive error which cost Brazil the goal in the 36th minute and eventually the game. Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado whipped in a routine free kick from the right. Brazil were caught napping and unable to clear. Jeison Murillo took full advantage of the loose ball and smashed it into goal.
Brazil squandered another great chance of drawing level just before half-time. Dani Alves thundered in on the right flank and delivered the perfect cross. Neymar timed his diving header to perfection, but somehow Colombian keeper David Ospina pulled off a save. To add insult to Brazil’s frustration, Neymar handled the rebound which resulted in the referee brandishing him with the yellow card. Being Neymar’s second yellow in the tournament and coupled with the red card shown to him later on, this might mean Neymar is in serious danger of missing the next few matches. At the very least, he will miss Brazil’s next game against Venezuela.
Brazil’s wastefulness in front of goal
But arguably, it was the miss in the 57th minute that will leave Dunga fuming. Murillo’s backpass to Ospina went completely awry which Elas latched on to. In the ensuing melee, the ball dropped at Firmino’s feet. With an open goal in front of him and the goal-keeper down on the turf, Firmino somehow contrived to send the ball over the bar. You really can’t get them any easier than that.
Carlos Sanchez and Valencia were at the heart of Colombia’s midfield continuously breaking up one Brazilian attack after another. Brazil enjoyed a considerable advantage in possession but were unable to make it count. Neymar was trying his best but a combination of tight man-marking and Colombian physicality was denying him a chance to break free.
It was Colombia who had a chance to add a second in the dying minutes – James Rodriguez, the Real Madrid star, unleashing a stunning, curling effort which just swerved a little too much to beat the far post. When the final whistled ended, temperatures flared. Neymar appeared to aim a head butt at Murillo which obviously wasn’t taken to very kindly by the Colombian players. Carlos Bacca rushed in and shoved Neymar away roughly. The referee immediately intervened and both the players saw red.
From the evidence of this match, Brazil still have a long way to go. Neymar will have to realise that since he is undisputedly Brazil’s best players, teams will have not have second thoughts about putting in heavy tackles on him. He must find a way to keep his temper in check.
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