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WC MOTD Preview: Brazil V Colombia

By on July 4, 2014

At every World Cup, there are some nations who are handed a straight shot through to the latter rounds of the tournament. Some teams who have luck on their side. Argentina, for instance, are one of those teams at World Cup 2014. The European nation were handed a straight shot through to the Semifinals after they qualified top of Group B, and with a win over Costa Rica they are into the Semifinals. Brazil and Colombia are not one of those nations.

Then, there are those teams which are given the toughest possible route to glory. The US had to make it out of the “Group of Death” containing Germany, Portugal, and Ghana, and then would have had to beat Belgium, and then Argentina just to make it to the Semifinals. Brazil and Colombia are among that group.

While the two South American nations were both handed relatively easy groups, they could not be facing bigger challenges ahead to make it to the final. Brazil had to face a good-looking Chile side, while Colombia was paired with Uruguay in the Second Round of the tournament. Both won those matches, but now they are paired with each other. Arguably two of the best nations in the world, going head to head in the Quarterfinals. And whoever wins will have to play Germany in a Semifinal. Yet tonight’s match still could be each of the two side’s toughest yet.

Not a whole lot was expected of Colombia coming into the tournament, yet with the rise of starlet James Rodriguez, who has scored five goals in the nation’s five matches so far, they come into the match with even better confidence then Brazil. They easily brushed past Uruguay, who themselves finished fourth at the 2010 tournament and had just beaten Italy and England in Group D, with Rodriguez finding the back of the net twice.  And if Colombia’s midfield can dominate today and supply Rodriguez, along with Jackson Martinez up front, they could terrorize the Brazilian back-line which look shaky in their 3-1 win over Croatia, draw with Mexico, and penalty shootout win over Chile.

Meanwhile, Brazil come into the match in almost the opposite situation. Everything is expected of them, especially as they are hosting the tournament for only the second time in its history, but so far they are struggling to deliver to their massive expectations. They were held resolute by Mexico, and after drawing 1-1 win Chile after one-hundred-and-twenty minutes of play, they have only won half of their matches in regulation time so far.  Luiz Scolari’s side have looked all to reliant on Neymar, who has scored half of their goals so far. Brazil will definitely find their biggest challenge so far in Colombia.

If history says anything this is likely to be a tight affair, with the two sides having drawn each other the past four times they have met in the last decade.  Of those four matches, only two goals have been produced, with three scoreless draws.  But with Brazil looking vulnerable down the wings, and Rodriguez causing havoc down the right and middle against Uruguay, this one is likely to produce at least some goals.

Prediction: Brazil 1-2 Colombia

 

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.