World Cup_ Neymar Injury Mars Brazil's Tense Colombia Victory - CNN

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(CNN)-- There were goals, there was choreographed dancing,

there were moments of great footballing beauty, but Colombia -- one

of the teams to excite most at this thrilling World Cup finals-- is

going homeafter Friday's quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Brazil

in Fortaleza.

Strikes from the center-back pairing of captain Thiago Silva and

David Luiz put Brazil into an unassailable lead and, despite a late

penalty by James Rodriguez, the tournament host held on to win 2-

1.

There was concern, however, for Brazil's star striker Neymar, who

was stretchered off in what seemed like considerable pain in thegame's closing moments.

The result marks the firsttime Brazil has reached the semifinal

stage since winning the title in Japan and South Korea in 2002, and

World Cup: Neymar injury mars Brazil'stense Colombia victoryBy Eoghan Macguire, for CNN

July 4, 2014 -- Updated 2310 GMT (0710 HKT)

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WorldCup: The best photos from July 4

STORYHIGHLIGHTS

Brazil beats Colombia in World

Cup quarterfinal in Fortaleza

Goals from Thiago Silva and

David Luiz secure 2-1 victory

James Rodriguez scores late

penalty to reduce deficit

Brazil's star str iker Neymar may

miss semifinal against Germany
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sets up an intriguing clash against Germany on Tuesday -- a repeat

of that year's final.

"I think Neymar won't be able to play," coach Luiz Felipe Scolari told

reporters after the game. "If we are able to beat Germany it might be

he can play in the final.

"He has been sent to a private clinic for a serious of exams as hewas kneed on his lower back and was crying out with pain. I can

guarantee it won't be easy for him to recover based on what the

doctor told us and the pain he is in."

Germany overcame Francein the day's earlier quarterfinal in Rio de

Janeiro thanks to an early goal from defender Mats Hummels.

In the sweaty evening heat of the Estadio Castelao, however, it was

another pair of defenders who were the unlikely heroes.

Silva opened the scoring after seven minutes, tucking home a

Neymar corner with his knee, and the Paris Saint-Germain star was

then in thick of it once more at the other end moments later,

blocking a shot from Juan Cuadrado.

Silva was criticized heavily after apparently refusing to take the sixth

penalty in Brazil's round of 16 shootout victory over

Chile lastSaturday.

He was all action here, however. Marshaling the back line and flying

into tackles when required.
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But a yellow cardmidway through the second half means he will be

suspended and miss the semifinal.

The Colombia players composed themselves as

the first half progressed, coming more into the

game despite the rough-house treatment

handed out to star player James Rodriguez.

On at least four occasions the Monaco star was

subject to the stray boot of Brazil's midfield

enforcer Fernandinho.

Still, the home team continued to have the

better chances.

Hulk and Fred came close with a snap-shot that

Colombia keeper David Ospina palmed away

and a header that flashed over respectively.

The second half commenced at a far slower

pace and there was little of note until Silva was booked for blocking

a kick out from Ospina.

Colombia did have the ball in the net after 66 minutes as Mario

Yepes bundled the ball over the line after a scramble in the Brazilian

box. But a linesman's offside flag cut short the nascent celebrations.

Moments later there was a goal, although it was to come at the other

end.

Hulk was fouled by Rodriguez 35 yards from goal and Luiz stepped

up to crash a spectacular free-kick beyond the despairing Ospina.

It was a remarkable strike that dipped and swerved as it arrowed

into the top corner of the net.

There seemed no way back for Colombia now. But "Los Cafeteros"were handed a lifeline with 12 minutes to go after goalkeeper Julio

Cesar scythed down substitute Carlos Bacca.

Rodriguez did the honors from the penalty spot, sending Cesar the

wrong way to score his sixth goal of the tournament -- two more than

closest rivals Neymar, Lionel Messi and ThomasMuller.

All of a sudden, the game was back on. Colombia pressed and

threw caution to the wind with Yepes playing as an auxiliary striker.

But when one final corner kick delivery drifted beyond Cesar's goal

in the 95th minute there was time left for little else.

Scolari's side has now overcome the barrier that has proved too


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high at the last two World Cup tournaments.

However, Brazil has not yet looked like a team certain to become

world champion for a record-extending sixth time -- as its

demanding public expects -- despite having world-class talents

like Neymar, Silva and Oscar.

Yet somehow they findthemselves only a game away from nextSunday's final.

Stuttering performances and the occasional stroke of good

fortune against Croatia and Mexico in the group stages and once

more against Chile has hardly inspired confidence in "A

Selecao."

Poor showings from the likes of strikers Hulk and Fred have been

singled out for particular scorn, although the former put in a solid

performance against Colombia.

Much was also made in the Brazilian media of 2002's winning

coach Scolari -- a man who prides himself on being a father

figure to his players -- bringing in a psychologist to speak to his

team after many broke down in tears during the national anthems

and once again after the dramatic penalty kicks victory over

Chile.

Was this team soft and mentally weak? Are the expectations of

200 million football-mad Brazilians proving oppressive and toomuch to bear?

"Big Phil" truculently replied earlier this week that journalists who

didn't like his methods could "go to hell."

Whether said reporters took heed or not, surely lack of maturity is

not an accusation that can be leveled against Brazil now.

The men in yellow were nothing if not committed, controlled and

tactically astute, biting into tackles and closing down with an

intensity that ruffled their opponents.

Several gestured towards the crowd throughout the contest to

increase the noise and crank up the pressure.

Colombia, by comparison, can hardly have been accused of being

afraid.

Jose Pekerman's team has played with a style and confidence

throughout the tournament that has been a joy to watch for neutral

observers.

The delight the entire squad takes in their choreographed dancing

World Cup Gloriesby CNN

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celebrations, meanwhile, speaks to the relaxed vibe created by the

coach, previously a World Cup quarterfinalist with his native

Argentina in 2006.

Tellingly, however, Colombia has only ever beaten Brazil

twice and never in Brazil -- a run that extends all the way

back to 1945 and the formative years of the Copa

America.

That record will now last at least until the two sides meet

next in qualification for the next World Cup in the coming

years.

Still, today's Colombia players will be heading back homes

as heroes, the bright hope of a new generation as the

country itself moves on from a dark past.

It was 20 years ago this week that defenderAndres

Escobar was murderedin Medellin upon returning from

the 1994 World Cup in the U.S. where he scored a cruel own-goal.

Thankfully, those dark days are largely gone and Colombian hopes

will be high when the campaign for Russia 2018 begins.

Brazil, however, is still involved in 2014 and will be going to the

semifinals in Belo Horizonte.
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/02/sport/football/football-world-cup-colombia-escobar/

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World Cup_ Neymar Injury Mars Brazil's Tense Colombia Victory - CNN