Brazil v Colombia
Friday July 4, 2014 – Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza (22:00)
Hosts Brazil take on the invincible Colombians in another all South American clash for both sides as the first quarter-final kicks off in Fortaleza.
A nervous Brazil team beat Chile 3-2 on penalties to reach the World Cup quarter-finals after an epic battle that left Neymar and his teammates in tears. Brazil were dominated and put under pressure for long periods of the game and the Chileans failed to capitalise on that as they did against Spain in the group stages. It’s as if the Brazilians were shown too much respect. The Selecao managed to create a few chances, but the fact is that they are lacking a proper gameplan. There is no more buildup from the back and players once again resorted to long balls to Neymar. Brazil have been far too reliant on Neymar to deliver the goods, and when he fails to pull goals out of a hat like in their clash with Chile, things can get ugly quickly. Hulk and Fred have to start making things happen and put away the chances, because Neymar is likely to get marked more and more tightly as Brazil progress through the tournament. Hulk did show that he can produce the goods against Chile with a number of good movements in the box and one goal disallowed for handball and will have to start translating his good plays into goals. Oscar, who had a standout performance in Brazil’s opener against Croatia, has failed to deliver since and we could see Luiz Felipe Scolari opt to start with his club teammate Willian in the number 10 role. Colombia will be yet another major test for Brazil just as Chile were. Scolari may trust his players, but he cannot afford to let caution get the better of him with the stakes so high.
James Rodriguez scored twice to put Colombia into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history with a 2-0 victory over Uruguay on Saturday. Rodriguez gave his team the lead with a stunning long-range volley on the turn in the 28th minute and added the second from close range shortly after the break as Colombia dominated a Uruguay side that sorely missed banned striker Luis Suarez. Colombia are the in-form team at the moment, and look more like a team than Brazil. Against Uruguay, Colombia impressed with some lovely build-up play and passing moves. Although both Colombia goals were scored by Rodriguez, who is arguably the best player of the tournament so far, Los Cafeteros are by far not as reliant on their star as Brazil are on Neymar. Rodriguez is one of the most talented players in this World Cup. His passing is superb and it is really interesting how deceitful he can be – Rodriguez can look absent from the game but can pounce and catch his markers unaware. He now has a tournament-leading five goals in Brazil and further enhanced his status as perhaps the tournament’s biggest revelation. Mario Yepes has been a rock at the back. He is a leader and helps manage the defence, while Pablo Armero at left back is another stand out defender who can be a bit of a loose cannon at times but is certainly a talented player. Los Cafeteros must fancy their chances after seeing Chile take Brazil down to the wire in Belo Horizonte.
Colombia head into the game on the back of four wins and very convincing displays. They have scored 11 goals and conceded only two. Form-wise Colombia are arguably the best team going into the quarter-finals. This is probably the best Colombia team we’re witnessing and they should have enough to beat an average Brazil side. Colombia are tipped for the win.
