Friday, 4 July 2014

WC 2014 QUARTER-FINAL: Brazil vs Colombia, LIVE COMMENTARY:


Hello again everyone and welcome to my latest blog post, where I have a LIVE Commentary of the first quarter-final in this year's 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The host nation Brazil play against Colombia in what could be a huge upset, or a victory which sends Brazil through to the semi-finals.

Brazil struggled and were arguably lucky to beat fellow South Americans Chile in the Last 16, and they will be up against another impressive side in the shape of Colombia in the quarter-finals tonight.




Here is the team line-ups for the match:

Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Thiago Silva, Luiz, Marcelo, Fernandinho, Paulinho, Oscar, Neymar, Hulk and Fred.

Subs: Jefferson, Dani Alves, Dante, Maxwell, Henrique, Ramires, Hernanes, Willian, Bernard, Jo and Victor.

Colombia: Ospina, Zuniga, Zapata, Yepes, Armero, Guarin, Sanchez Moreno, Cuadrado, Rodriguez, Ibarbo and Gutierrez.

Subs: Vargas, Arias, Carbonero, Aguilar, Mejia, Balanta, Bacca, Ramos, Quintero, Martinez, Valdes and Mondragon.


Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (from Spain)

21:00 - The match is about to start, but first a quick picture with the "No to Racism" banner on the field of play, as we previously saw in the Germany vs France match earlier on.

21:01 - PLAYER WATCH:
Neymar.
He doesn't really need much of an introduction does he? He is the golden boy of the team, the best player in the side and they need him badly. 

His presence, his movement, clinical nature, goals, his overall contribution to the team is the reason why they think they can win the tournament.

21:02 - Match has started. Colombia in red tonight, attacking from right to left against Brazil, who have a mass of support as expected.

5: First 5 minutes of the match, and it has been all Brazil so far - looking dangerous on the counter attack and there has been no mention of Neymar's knocks and pains from their match against Chile.

6: GOAL! Brazil ahead! I called it as soon as I saw the delivery whipped into the box!

A corner kick was crossed into the area, poor defensive marking on Colombia's part allows space for PSG defender Thiago Silva to lurk beyond the last defender and head his effort past Ospina into the net! 1-0 to the Brazilians.
Thiago Silva lurks beyond the last defender to break the deadlock

8: And now the real question will be posed - can Colombia get back into the match? They conceded a poor goal and a soft one at that, but Brazil will take it all day long.

9: Looking back at the replays again, Thiago Silva's goal is almost an exactly carbon-copy of David Luiz's opener against Chile in the last round.

10: And that's also the second goal from a centre-back in the quarter-finals today, Mats Hummels scored for Germany, and won the game for them aswell.

11: Colombia's defence look vulnerable under pressure, and Brazil are doing their best to frustrate their star players with late tackles.

13: I think it's fair to say that Brazil's presence is starting to rattle the Colombians at the moment - James Rodriguez goes down after a late challenge by Fernandinho and wins a free-kick, but he looks disgusted after being on the receiving on the end of the tackle.

16: A half-chance for Brazil as a result of more sloppy play from Colombia; the ball falls to Hulk inside the area after a partial clearance is straight into the winger's path - but his attempt is blocked and Colombia are let off.

19: DOUBLE SAVE FROM OSPINA! Brazil almost double the lead, first from Hulk who has a shot at the near post parried away by the goalkeeper, before the ball falls into the path of Chelsea's attacking midfielder Oscar who curls an effort towards goal on the edge of the box - his shot is caught acrobatically by Ospina.

20: Good sliding challenge by Oscar to clear the danger as James Rodriguez tries to go on the counter attack.

21: Colombia's counter attacking capabilities is emphasized there! Rodriguez wins the ball near the centre circle, and sprints forward with purpose - two players either side of him.

He looks up and passes the ball across into the path of Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado who attempts to play a through ball into the box, but his pass is wasted and Brazil clear.

22: An entertaining watch, and a good end-to-end match so far.

26: Good work by Hulk on the flank to weave past his marker, before passing the ball towards left-back Marcelo - he has an attempt on the edge of the area which is goalwards, it bounces off striker Fred and balloons over the bar.

27: SAVE AGAIN OSPINA! Great save again by Ospina, to block Hulk's powerful effort from close range with a diving parry to his left.

29: Solid defending by Brazil to clear the danger as Cuadrado and Rodriguez both try and get efforts into the box - blocked and cleared away.

30: David Luiz goes on a bursting run forward, outmuscling two players before eventually losing the ball to defender Christian Zapata.

31: Both teams are making a few mistakes, but in a way it is adding to the excitement and the free flowing pace of the match. 

It is clearly obvious that both teams are eager to score, Brazil are looking the more dangerous though.

34: Zapata takes the goal-kick after a Brazil corner is headed wide of the goal. 

35: Colombia have a free-kick on the edge of the area after Ibarbo goes down after a high foot from Fernandinho.

35: Debatable decision from the referee, but it gives Colombia the chance to equalise regardless.

36: Cuadrado, Guarin and Rodriguez stand over the set-piece, and the latter has an effort blocked by the approaching Brazilian defenders in the wall.

37: An in-swinging free-kick 25 yards out from Rodriguez is an inviting ball into the box - Julio Cesar jumps high and catches the ball comfortably though, so Brazil can clear the danger.

38: Patient build-up play by Brazil, and the ball falls to Hulk who lashes at the shot with a wild effort on-goal, but his strike is well wide and it flies into the crowd.

40: Colombia attempt to go on the counter attack, but the ball spins uncontrollably out for a throw-in, which is temporarily delayed by full-back Armero as Ibarbo goes down on the edge of the area.

41: Ibarbo is limping in pain, but it looks as though he will be able to continue.

42: Neymar goes to ground rather easily under the challenge of Zuniga on the edge of the area - and the referee blows his whistle for a free-kick.

43: Neymar's effort curls wide of the goal, and a goal-kick to follow.

44: Hulk is hacked to ground by Zuniga, and the referee warns the full-back about his future conduct after a late challenge, albeit accidentally.

45: The fourth official signals for just 1 minute of stoppage time to be played at the end of the first-half, with Brazil leading 1-0. 

45: Quite hard to believe that the first-half has gone by so quickly, and how there is only 1 goal in this period of time.

45+1: HALF-TIME - 
Brazil 1 Colombia 0
A rather tentative start from Colombia has given the Brazilians the space and the chance to break the deadlock, which defender Thiago Silva has done - but the Colombians have got into their zone and look dangerous on the counter attack.

1-0 at half-time, and it has been a fast-paced game with both sides having chances; Brazil could arguably be 2 or 3-0 up but for good saves from Ospina. 

21:57 - He has been targeted by the Brazilians today, which is not exactly surprising given his impressive performances at the tournament, but he has looked good on the ball so far already. 

Who you ask? The man who could help Colombia get back into the match.

Too vague? He plays for Monaco in Ligue 1.

You still need help? Oh, okay.






James Rodriguez. Looks dangerous on the counter attack, his quick feet, speed and overall ability is so impressive that whenever he has the ball, he is swarmed by approaching Brazilian players. 

22:00 - Some quick breaking transfer news for you. 

  • Newcastle full-back Mathieu Debuchy is reportedly set to join Arsenal for a reported fee of £7.8million pounds
  • Now that France have been eliminated, he is expected to complete a medical as soon as next week. 
22:01 - More information on the Debuchy to Arsenal story here, follow the link:


22:03 - The second-half is about to start, cameras show that both sides are walking out of the tunnel and preparing to start again.

22:04 - Colombia SUB:
Victor Ibarbo OFF 
Adrian Ramos ON

45: Brazil kick-off, and the second-half has started.

48: Brazil attempt to go on the counter attack, but the potential move is broken down as a loose pass falls to Armero. Another needless foul results in a long free-kick on the far side for Colombia, whipped into the box and headed clear by Thiago Silva.

49: And then another foul is commited by Brazil.... this time from Hulk, as he connects a high boot with Zuniga un-necessarily.

50: Brazil need to keep calm and composed otherwise the referee will start pulling out the cards. 

51: Arguably harsh call by the referee, as he gives a foul on Fernandinho from Guarin and Brazil now have a free-kick in a dangerous position.

52: The resulting set-piece comes of nothing as Brazil attempt to pass the ball around from the back and work their way into the Colombian half.

54: It almost pays off as Marcelo crosses the ball into the box but Colombia clear the danger away. 

57: A nasty-looking tackle from Ramos on Thiago Silva goes un-punished as the referee fails to spot the foul despite claims for a foul.

58: A half-chance for Colombia goes to waste after Rodriguez passes the ball across to Guarin but his volley is high and wide over the bar. Goal-kick to come.

62: A clumsy, poor challenge from Cuadrado on Neymar results in an inswinging free-kick set to be taken. It relieves some of the pressure, but also gives Brazil a chance to score.

63: Ospina comes out of his area to collect the delivery, and Colombia clear.

64: First yellow card of the match, and it probably should have happened a lot sooner aswell. 39 fouls into the game, and PSG centre-back Thiago Silva is booked after a silly challenge on Ospina to delay him from taking a big kick into the opposite half.

65: And... that means that Thiago Silva is ruled out of the semi-final clash with Germany, IF Brazil get there ofcourse.

66: Controversial decision by the referee as he gives Brazil a free-kick, and books Rodriguez in the process for a late sliding challenge on Hulk - despite trying to win the ball.

67: Before James' booking, Colombia had the ball in the back of the net - BUT it was ruled offside. 

Defender Mario Yepes was fuming.

68: GOAL! Luiz doubles Brazil's lead! A well-struck free-kick from 25 yards curls over the war and swerves into the net, as Ospina stretches towards the effort but is unable to parry it powerfully away despite getting fingertips to the defender's shot.

Stunner: Luiz made it 2-0 with a free-kick strike past Ospina
69: Luiz runs away to celebrate his second goal of the tournament to make it 2-0, just minutes after Thiago Silva's booking.

70: 20 minutes to play, and the Brazil supporters are celebrating like mad. 

Meanwhile Colombia are making a substitution - 
Teofilo Gutierrez OFF
Carlos Bacca ON

71: Someone needs to tell them that they play Germany next.

72: The oldest player on the pitch, Colombian defender Mario Yepes is booked for dissent as the referee tries to calm down the intensity of the match. He clearly is not happy, but he needs to keep a cool head.

77: PENALTY FOR COLOMBIA! Unselfish play by James Rodriguez who looks up and passes the ball across into the path of Bacca, who shapes to shoot but is brought down inside the box by goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

78: The referee has no choice but to point to the spot, and he also books Cesar as a result of his late tackle.

79: It was obviously accidental, but the Colombians are understandably unhappy that he was not sent off as a result of the challenge. He clutches his knee in pain as a result of the collision, and once he gets a drink of water and gets back to his feet - he stands in the goal awaiting the penalty. 

80: James Rodriguez to take it, and hopefully give Colombia a lifeline to get back into the match... GOAL! The wonderkid and young playmaker scores his 6th goal of the tournament with a cooly slotted penalty, Cesar was sent the wrong way and now we have a game on our hands!


Cooly slotted: James makes it 2-1 from the penalty spot
6 goals in 5 matches: Rodriguez celebrates his goal past Cesar to make for a tense finish
85: Brazil SUB - 
Paulinho OFF
Hernanes ON

86: 5 minutes plus stoppages to play, and Colombia have the ball firmly placed in the Brazil half.

87: Disaster blow for Brazil. Neymar goes down injured, clutching his knee and his groin after a challenge from Zuniga. The physio rush onto the field of play and he is immediately stretchered off.

88: Brazil SUB -
Neymar OFF 
Henrique ON

89: Let's hope it's not too serious for Neymar, who has been playing tonight despite struggling with a few knocks. He has been tackled and clattered all game, which is no surprise for a player of his quality - just like James Rodriguez.

90: The fourth official signals for 5 minutes of stoppage time, 5 minutes for Colombia to equalise. Scolari will obviously not be happy but he cannot be too surprised.

90+1: Good quick footwork by Rodriguez who skips past two challenges before being brought down in the area - the referee waves play on as two Brazil players go down with cramp and the Brazilians attempt to counter.

90+2: Rodriguez is absolutely fuming with the referee, but he gets on with the game. A corner kick is given to Colombia after the approaching presence of Yepes is dealt with by Marcelo who heads the danger away.

90+2: A headed flick-on is wide of Cesar's goal, and gives Brazil some time to waste. 

90+4: A long free-kick is whipped into the box and Ospina pushes forward from his goal - but Brazil clear the danger away.

90+5: The referee blows his whistle, and it's full-time!

Brazil 2 Colombia 1
Goals from defenders Thiago Silva and David Luiz ensure that the hosts stay in the competition despite a late charge from the impressive Colombians, who will be disappointed to be knocked out after a spirited performance. 

It's a real shame that Colombia have been knocked out tonight, but in the end the better team won in the end - despite the fact that Brazil were not exactly convincing.

FACT - This is the first time that Brazil have got to the semi-finals since they last won the World Cup, back in 2002.

This picture says it all. Arguably the best player in the entire tournament is seen no more.


Respect: James is consoled by defenders David Luiz and Dani Alves at the full-time whistle

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