2014 FIFA World Cup – Quarterfinal
Brazil vs Colombia
Estádio Governador Plácido Aderaldo Castelo – Fortaleza, Brazil
Friday, July 4, 2014, 4:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN, Univision
Money Line: Colombia +325 / Brazil -115 / Draw +260
Point Line: Brazil -0.5 -115 / Colombia +0.5 -105
Total: under 2.5 -142 /over 2.5 +122
Odds to advance to semifinals: Brazil -235 / Colombia +195
All odds courtesy of Bookmaker
Brazil has won five World Cups but hasn’t won one since 2002. Anything less than a sixth title on home soil will be viewed as a bitter disappointment for Brazil and their passionate fans. Brazil hasn’t lost a competitive match on home soil since 1975, or any match including friendlies at home since 2002. Next up for Brazil is a quarterfinal showdown with CONMEBOL rival Colombia Friday in Fortaleza. The winner will take on either Germany or France in the semifinals next week.
Brazil is 15-2-8 against Colombia all-time. Colombia hasn’t beaten Brazil since the 1991 Copa America. The last four matches between Brazil and Colombia have been draws, including 3 scoreless matches. They played to a 1-1 draw in a friendly in November 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Brazil has scored 55 goals to 11 for Colombia in the series. They have never met in the World Cup before. Brazil and Colombia didn’t meet in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup because Brazil automatically qualified as the host nation.
Brazil is playing in their 20th World Cup, the only team to play in every tournament. They have made to the quarterfinals of the last six World Cups, but have been eliminated in this round in the last two Cups. Brazil was placed in Group A at the 2014 World Cup as the host nation always is. Brazil beat Croatia 3-1, played Mexico to a scoreless draw and beat Cameroon 4-1. Mexico and Brazil each had 7 points, but Brazil won the group with a better goal differential.
Brazil played another South American rival Chile in the round of 16 Saturday in Belo Horizonte. Brazil took a 1-0 lead 18 minutes on a goal from David Luiz. Chile tied it up at 32 minutes on a goal from Alexis Sanchez. At 54 minutes, Brazil had a Hulk goal disallowed because of a disputed handball call. Neither team would score again in regulation or in 30 minutes of extra time.
In penalties, Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar made great saves on the first two Chilean kicks. Brazil made two of their first three kicks. Chile made their next two kicks sandwiched around a Hulk miss to tie it up going into the fifth round. Neymar buried his kick to give Brazil a 3-2 lead. Chile’s Gonzalo Jara missed his kick off the right post and Brazil survived.
Brazil had 23 shots including 13 on goal. Chile had 13 and 5. Brazil had 28 fouls to 23 for Chile. Chile had a slim edge in possession with 51% to 49%. Brazil had 9 corners to 5 for Chile. Chile had 3 offsides to 2 for Brazil.
Colombia is playing in the World Cup for the fifth time overall and first time since 1998. They had never made it past the round of 16 before this year. This is only the second time they have advanced from the group stage. Colombia won all three of their games in Group C at the 2014 World Cup beating Greece 3-0, Ivory Coast 2-1 and Japan 4-1.
Colombia played CONMEBOL rival Uruguay in the round of 16 Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. Colombian Striker James Rodriguez scored two goals at 28 minutes and 50 minutes to key Colombia’s 2-0 win to make sure this is Colombia’s most successful World Cup to date. Rodriguez has a World Cup leading 5 goals.
Colombia had 10 shots against Uruguay including 8 on target. Uruguay had 16 and 9. Colombia had 19 fouls to 17 for Uruguay. Colombia had possession for 54% of the time. Uruguay had 5 corners to 3 for Colombia. Each team was called offsides once.
Brazil is coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari. Brazil will use a 4-2-3-1 attack. Brazil forward Neymar Jr. has four goals already in 3 World Cup games. The 22 year old is tied for second in goals. Oscar, Fred Luiz and Fernandinho have scored the only other goals for Brazil so far. Oscar also has 2 assists. Julio Cesar is a top flight keeper and has allowed just three goals in four matches.
Brazil has outscored opponents 8-3 so far in the World Cup. Brazil has only one goal on set pieces so far. Brazil has 70 shots including 48 on goal. Brazil has completed 27 of 100 crosses. They have been called for offsides 11 times in the tournament. Brazil has made 6 saves and 10 blocks in the tournament. They have made 105 tackles winning 38 of them. Brazil has completed 1,551 passes and the World Cup average is 1,179.
Colombia is coached by Jose Pekerman. Colombia will use a 4-2-3-1 formation. Star striker Radamel Falcao was ruled out before the World Cup with a knee injury. Still Colombia has been impressive even without him. Forward James Rodriguez has scored 5 goals for Colombia so far in the World Cup and also has 2 assists. Jackson Martinez has 2 goals, but is expected to come off the bench. Forward Juan Cuadrado has a goal and three assists. Keeper David Ospina has allowed 2 goals in four matches.
Colombia has 46 shots including 33 on target. They are outscoring teams 11-2 in the World Cup. Colombia has 9 open play and 2 set piece goals. They have been called offsides 7 times. Colombia is 15/45 on crosses. Colombia has won 18 of 76 tackles. They have 19 blocks and 19 saves. They have completed 1,224 passes.
Brazil has looked a little shaky so far in the World Cup, while Colombia has been most impressive. All of the pressure is on the home side, because Colombia has never been here before. It would be great for Colombia to win, but Brazil has to win on home soil. I think Brazil finds a way to escape maybe in extra time or penalties.
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