Colombia Fall To Brazil, Neymar Needs Stretcher

 2-1 

The host nation was back in action as Brazil played Colombia in today's second quarter-final.  Colombia have exceeded expectations and James Rodríguez is the current goal scoring leader with five.  Brazil, on the other hand, have been unconvincing in their World Cup campaign despite succeeding in the knock-out rounds.

Brazil scored early in the match on a set-piece.  David Luiz and Thiago Silva came forward for a Brazil corner-kick that was played into the box by Neymar.  The cross was not defended well and the ball was allowed to bounce in front of the goal.  Thiago Silva finished with a free half-volley at the far-post to take the lead (7').

Brazil had the majority of chances in the first-half and Colombia was struggling to establish a presence in midfield.  The match was physical throughout, but the referee was hesitant to give anyone a card.  Eventually a yellow card was shown in the second-half to Thiago Silva for a foul on keeper Ospina meaning the Brazil captain will miss the next match.

Then on another set-piece Brazil scored a second goal by the other centerback.  David Luiz used a free-kick to have a shot and placed it well into the upper-ninety (69').  It was a well struck free-kick, but keeper Ospina must take some of the blame for the second goal.  He abandoned his far-post despite the wall covering the near-post and was not in the right position when the shot came.

As time ran on and Colombia were forced to push more players forward, an opening was create late in the match that gave Colombia a penalty-kick.  Brazil keeper Julio César missed a tackle on Carlos Bacca and James Rodríguez scored from the spot, giving Colombia a life-line (80').

Colombia could not get a second goal to level the score and will exit the World Cup.  James Rodríguez may still claim the golden boot award with a total of six goals in five matches.  Juan Cuadrado has also attracted a lot of attention and together give Colombia a bright future.

Brazil have shown they can score from set-pieces as well as from the field of play.  However, it seems they still have not reached their full potential.  Also Neymar might not be available going forward.  He was carried off on a stretcher late in the match after taking a knee to the back.  Germany will be a tough opponent and Brazil will need their best to move ahead.

Columbia Defeat Toothless Uruguay

 2-0 

The all South American Saturday continued with Columbia taking on Uruguay.  Obviously with a four month suspension to Luis Suárez Uruguay would have to look elsewhere for goals and the veteran Diego Forlán was called on to fill in the gap.  Forlán started the first match for Uruguay against Costa Rica that ended in a three-one defeat.  Today Uruguay were not much better with Forlán up top and fell to Columbia.

A poor clearance by Uruguayan defender Álvaro Pereira gave the ball to Abel Aguilar.  With a first-touch header pass, Aguilar played the ball forward to James Rodríguez.  The Columbian number 10 surprised keeper Muslera when he took the pass from Aguilar down off his chest then hit the shot on the volley.  Rodríguez hit the volley just right and scored the only goal of the first-half (28').

Uruguay were not getting anything out of their forwards in the first-half.  Diego Forlán did not get a single shot off and Edinson Cavani's best chance was a free-kick over the bar.  Uruguay were not able to fix their problems over the break and Columbia added a second goal early in the second-half.

A cross from the left side into the box was met by Juan Cuadrado at the back post.  Cuadrado headed the ball back across the face of goal and James Rodríguez was in position to turn the ball into the net (50').

Uruguay could not muster much of an offensive response; their best chance to score coming with about ten minutes left in the match.  Maxi Pereira found himself in behind the Columbia defense, but could only manage a toe-poke shot that went straight to keeper Ospina.

Clearly Uruguay are not as dangerous without Luis Suárez.  Cavani and Forlán were not good enough to make up for his absence and Uruguay could not capitalize on set-pieces.  Columbia on the other hand have been fantastic on the attack and James Rodríguez now leads the tournament scoring with five goals in four matches.