Brazil vs Columbia Preview: The South American Slug-Fest

We started with 32, we are down to the last 8. While France and Germany kick off the quarter-finals at the Maracana, all the eyes in the host nation, and indeed the whole of South America, will be on Fortaleza for what promises to be a ripper of a contest between Brazil and Columbia.
Historically, though, there is not much of a contest with the Brazil dominating the numbers. The Selecao have won 15 of the 25 matches between the with Columbia emerging on the right side of the scoreline only twice. To add to that, the Columbians have managed to find the net only 11 times till date against their heavy-weight neighbours, which is, coincidentally, the same number of goals they have scored in this year’s World Cup, from 4 matches. Brazil, on the other hand, have scored exactly five times more, underlining their dominance.
Coming back to the present, though, things couldn’t be more even. While Brazil should be the natural favourites, their inability to kill off Mexico in the group stages and Chile (before the tie breaker) in the Round of 16 match have indicated that this team is yet to find top gear. Columbia, on the other hand have been a revelation. After walking through their group with all 9 points, Columbia displayed remarkable steel and passion to oust Uruguay. Not undermining their cohesive efforts as a team, it can be safely that the destiny of these two nations lie on the feet of two men: Neymar and James Rodriguez.

With a country’s expectations weighing heavily on his shoulders in 2013, Neymar rose to the occasion as Brazil swept all aside at the FIFA Confederations Cup. This summer, the burden was increased ten-fold for the Seleção’s latest No10. The Barçelona forward has, so far, matched those expectations with four goals at Brazil 2014, along with a crucial penalty in his side’s shootout victory against Chile, as the hosts have reached the quarter-finals.

James Rodriguez is another name on everyone’s lips at the moment, with the Colombian number 10 creating headlines with his outstanding performances at the FIFA World Cup so far. His five goals in four matches, including a stunning effort against Uruguay in the Round of 16, have seen him pick up three Man Of The Match awards as Los Cafeteros have veritably cruised to the final eight.

Another chapter of exquisite South American football waits to be written in the story of the FIFA World Cup 2014, with all 22 men on the pitch, and even those on the substitute bench, more than carable of being the hero.
So what lies in store? Let’s wait and watch.

PREDICTION

With both teams more than capable of turning the heat on each other, this one should be close. However, with the host nation fans screaming their lungs out and undeniable superiority in firepower, expect the Brazilians to kill off their passionate sub-plots. Brazil to win 2-1 after Extra Time.