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The second quarter-final match at the World Cup is between five time winners Brazil and another South American country Colombia – who have never progressed beyond the round of 16, and have failed to qualify in the last three editions of the tournament.
Colombia won all their previous matches so far against Greece (3-0), Ivory Coast (2-1), Japan (4-1) and Uruguay (2-0), while Brazil cruised past their group stage with wins against Croatia (3-1) and Cameroon (4-1) and a draw against Mexico (0-0). Their round of 16 clash against Chile saw them ending the game at one goal apiece when they marched towards victory on penalties (3-2) after a heroic display from their goalkeeper Júlio César.
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Venue
The match will be played at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza. The stadium was built in 1973 and has an overall capacity of 60,342 people.
The stadium so far has hosted 5 matches in this World Cup, including the Netherlands-Mexico round of 16 match. The stadium has also seen one of the major upsets in this World Cup when Costa Rica defeated Uruguay 3-1.
Brazil has had a chance to play at this stadium in this tournament when the faced Mexico (0-0) in the group stage. Meanwhile, this will be Colombia’s first game at this stadium.
Kickoff
July 4 – 5:00 PM – Brazil Local Time
July 5 – 01:30 AM – Indian Standard Time
Possible Starting Line Ups
The Brazilian manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari has been seen to give a lot of importance to his trust values for players he picks. Not many would’ve thought before the tournament that he would still persist with Luiz Gustavo and Paulinho in his midfield, but he did. With Gustavo suspended for this match, Paulinho is set to return to the midfield after he was replaced by Fernandinho in the last couple of games. The back four plus the goalkeeper and the front three men are likely to be the same.
Brazil (4-2-3-1): Júlio César; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva (c), David Luiz, Marcelo; Paulinho, Fernandinho; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred
José Pékerman’s men have been seen to attack more from centre than on wings. Even full-backs Pablo Armero and Juan Camilo Zúñiga tend to cut in if they have options, available which is a healthy sign for the Argentine born manager. He has two dilemmas though; to choose between their no. 9 Teófilo Gutiérrez and inform starlet Jackson Martínez who scored two goals against Japan and kept his place against Uruguay, or to play both and push James Rodríguez to the left wing replacing Víctor Ibarbo.
Colombia(4-2-3-1): David Ospina; Juan Camilo Zúñiga, Mario Yepes (c), Cristián Zapata, Pablo Armero; Abel Aguilar, Carlos Sánchez; Víctor Ibarbo, James Rodríguez, Juan Cuadrado, Jackson Martínez
Key Facts
- Brazil are unbeaten in their last 13 games, their last defeat coming at the hands of Switzerland (1-0) last year while Colombia tasted their last defeat against Uruguay (2-0) last year.
- Juan Cuadrado of Colombia has so far pocketed four assists – the most by any player at this World Cup.
- Neymar, with 4 goals in this tournament, is only behind James Rodríguez of Colombia who has 5 goals to his name. In the previous two editions of the World Cup, this tally of five goals was enough for the Germans – Thomas Müller (2010) and Miroslav Klose (2006) – to win the Golden Boot.
- In the 25 matches played between the two nations, Brazil has won 15 and lost 2. Eight games were held to a draw.
- Neymar, Thiago Silva, Ramires, Dani Alves, Hulk and Jô for Brazil would miss the semi-final if they are booked again tonight and if their team qualifies.
- Carlos Sánchez, Fredy Guarín and Pablo Armero for Colombia would miss the semi-final if they are booked again tonight and if their team qualifies.
Key Battles
Marcelo (BRA) vs Juan Cuadrado (COL)
A highly anticipated run of play will be seen on the right flank of the Colombian side. Cuadrado will be supported by his team mate Juan Camilo Zúñiga on the right and the duo forms a lethal patnership on counter attacks. It’s a worrying sign for Marcelo as he has to adjust to Cuadrado, who often with his quick change of pace cuts in and is more like an inside forward than a typical winger. Marcelo would need help from his wingers to stop Colombia’s lightening fast right flank.
Fernandinho (BRA) vs James Rodríguez (COL)
Will there be another goal from Rodríguez tonight; the answer depends a lot on the Manchester City defensive midfielder. Fernandinho has earned Scolari’s trust in the last couple of games and is likely to start tonight. Rodríguez is in fine form and has netted goals in all the four matches he has played at this World Cup. Fernandinho’s ability to track down players will be crucial tonight as Rodríguez is the key to Colombia’s success. He will have to provide a solid shield and place himself in empty spaces that the Colombian playmaker is so good at spotting to protect his centre backs Thiago Silva and David Luiz.
Prediction
Difficult to say, but Colombia looks like the team to beat along with Netherlands and Germany in this tournament.
Predicted scoreline: Colombia 3-1 Brazil
Match Officials
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Roberto Alonso Fernandez (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Yuste (ESP)
Fourth Official: Svein Oddvar Moen (NOR)
