Brazil to meet Germans in World Cup semifinal

                    Brazil earned the right to face Germany in the semifinals of the World Cup on Tuesday following a 2-1 victory over Colombia at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza today 4/07/2014.

                   

Brazil squared off against Colombia this afternoon 4/07/0214 in the second quarterfinal of the 2014 FIFA World Cup for the right to play Germany in the semifinals. The Germans had defeated France 1-0 earlier in the day to book their spot. The Brazilians had been knocked out at this stage at two consecutive World Cup tournaments in 2006 and 2010 by the French and Dutch respectively so winning this encounter was absolutely necessary. They could not have made a better start as a corner won by Brazil in the 7^th minute was poorly defended by the Colombians and Captain Tiago Siva was there to bundle the ball over the line from close range. 1-0 Brazil and hosts got the early lead they wanted. A few minutes later though, Cuadrado had a chance to put the Colombians level but his shot was put out for a corner which was squandered. In the 20th minute Neymar had a great chance to double Brazil’s lead but it was wasted. Hulk would then test Ospina in the Colombian goal, but the custodian did well to prevent his team from falling further behind. In the 28^th minute the Colombians won a free kick but great Brazilian defending would manage to repel the attack. Just before halftime Brazil would win a free kick of their own, but Neymar’s effort would go off target and the score line remained the same. At the interval though, it would be the former five time Champions who went in with the lead and one foot in the semifinals.

At the start of the second half Colombia made change as Ramos replaced Ibarbo up front. It would be Brazil though who would dominate the early possession, but soon the Colombians began to get back in the game as a neat build up was wasted as Guarin’s effort went off target. Brazil would then win a free kick following a challenge on Neymar in the Colombian half but the opportunity went a begging. Thiago Silva would then receive a yellow card. Colombia captain Yepes thought he had brought Colombia level following a scramble in the Brazilian penalty area but he was judged to be in an offside position. Rodriguez would then receive a yellow card following a challenge on Marcelo. It would be the perfect opportunity for Brazil to increase their lead as David Luiz made no mistake with the ensuing free kick as his blast from 35 yards out gave Ospina no chance. 2-0 Brazil. Colombia would continue to press and their persistence would pay off as Bacca was brought down by Julio Ceasar in the Brazilian penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Cesar received a yellow card. Rodriguez stepped up for Colombia and confidently put his spot kick past the Brazilian goalie. 

The score was now 2-1 with twenty minutes to go. Colombia would then make a substitution as Quintero replaced Cuadrado in the 80^th minute in attempt to revive their World Cup hopes. Brazil would then make a substitution of their own in an attempt to run down the clock as Hernanes replaced Paulinho in the 86^th minute. Neymar would then come off as he went down under the challenge from Zuniga and Henrique took his spot. Brazil would continue to hang on as Colombia tried desperately to force a late equalizer. They would win a corner in the added on time but the effort was squandered as the Brazilians could scent victory. Another free kick would be awarded to the Colombians, but the Brazilian defense repelled the threat as the time wound down. In the end it was the hosts holding on for the win and a semifinal meeting with the Germans in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.