Attention turned from the tactical and robust feel of the first quarter final to the free flowing, more expansive clash between Brazil and Colombia, with the hosts edging through.
Goals from Thiago Silva and a David Luiz stunner were enough to ensure that Jams Rodriguez’s penalty would not be enough to see Colombia back into the game.
As ever, Oscar started for Brazil while Willian and Ramires yet again had to settle for a place on the bench. Former Stamford Bridge favourite David Luiz lined up in the hosts’ defence.
Brazil got off to a flyer with the Fortaleza crowd behind them by going ahead after just seven minutes. Neymar’s corner evaded everyone in the Colombian area but Thiago Silva was alive and ghosted in at the back post and bundled the ball in to send the whole of Brazil wild.
The goal seemed to shock Colombia who were just looking to get into their stride that they have shown in their previous four games but the goal knocked them off course, and they struggled to re-find it after Silva’s opener.
Ospina had to come to Colombia’s rescue on the twenty minute mark as Hulk fired low and across the goal, but the Colombian shot-stopper saved both the initial effort and the following rebound to keep Colombia in with a shout in the first half. He would deny Hulk again just eight minutes later.
Hulk was getting many of Brazil’s opportunities to get a tighter grasp ont he game but the wide man was failing to take them. Many Chelsea fans and a few pundits have questioned Scolari’s decision to regularly choose the Zenit man over Willian, who had a solid first season at Chelsea.
Neymar’s freekick from the edge of the area would sail over and Brazil would go into the break leading Colombia by a single Thiago Silva goal.
The first twenty minutes of the first half lacked chances but wasn’t without it’s talking points. Goalscorer and captain Thiago Silva picked up a yellow card for a needless foul on Ospina as he looked to clear the ball. The PSG man, who is so vital at the heart of this Brazilian side, would now miss the semi-final should his side progress.
Two minutes later Colombia had the ball in the back of the net but the whistle had long gone before Yepes slammed the ball home. Offside meant that it remained 1-0 to the hosts.
And, as so often happens, Brazil capitalised on Colombia’s hard luck. However, this strike deserved every bit of luck. A questionable freekick was awarded after Rodriguez bought down Hulk, but what was to follow would be special.
Former Chelsea man David Luiz stepped up from 30 yards out and slammed the ball with his adopted side-foot into Ospina’s top left hand corner. The ball’s movement meant it moved away from the goalkeeper and the ever passionate Luiz was more so than ever as he ran off to celebrate with the partying Brazil fans. What a moment. 2-0 on 69 minutes.
Colombia were given a route back into the game with a penalty given away by goalkeeper Cesar as he bought down Bacca a few yards out from goal. James Rodriguez stepped up and calmly slotted it away to get his sixth goal of the tournament and more importantly give Colombia hope of a comeback.
Ramires came on three minutes later and ran his socks off as he so often does, up until the final whistle which signalled Brazil’s place in the semi-final and a date with the promising Germany.
The win was partially overshadowed by a back injury to Neymar and after the game Scolari stated that he would miss the clash with Germany. With their star man and Thiago Silva out, it’s a big task for Brazil.
Chelsea man Oscar was once again without the numbers and stats to back up his performance. Notable was his tracking back and working for the team; Mourinho, are you watching?
Tonight’s result means Chelsea already have four players in the final four of the competition, with Oscar, Willian and Ramires joining Schurrle, whose German team progressed earlier.
Full time: Brazil 2-1 Colombia – hosts into the final four!
