Copa America Report: Brazil 0-1 Colombia
Copa America - Group C Result: Brazil 0-1 Colombia Date: 17 June 2015 Venue: Estadio Monumental David Arellano Colombia secured a crucial 1-0 win over Brazil in their Copa America Group C encounter, while Neymar saw red after the final whistle. Dunga drafted Thiago Silva back into the defence alongside Miranda, with David Luiz dropping to the bench. While, Colombia's Carlos Bacca dropped out for Teofilo Gutierrez. After a quiet opening 15 minutes, Colombia nearly opened the scoring through Radamel Falcao but the striker managed to volley wide of the target from close range, after getting on the end of Gutierrez's knock-down. The Colombians went close to breaking the deadlock in the 31st minute when Carlos Sanchez tried his luck from 25-yards out but his effort sailed inches wide of the upright. However, the deadlock was broken five minutes later as Juan Cuadrado's free-kick fell perfectly for Jeison Murillo, who slotted home from close range to hand Colombia the lead. It was Colombia as far as chances were concerned and they came agonisingly close to doubling the lead in the 39th minute but Falcao's glancing header sailed narrowly wide of the upright. Brazil nearly leveled matters just before the halftime break when Roberto Firmino picked out Neymar from four-yards out but the Skipper failed to beat David Ospina, who pulled off a fine save. Selecao were presented with another glorious chance shortly after the halftime break, when Neymar managed to get through on goal however he once again failed to beat Ospina. Brazil should have been level in the 58th minute as Neymar did well to charge down Ospina's clearance, before teeing up Firmino, who blazed over from 10-yards out with the goal at his mercy. The Colombians could have wrapped up the win in the 73rd minute when James Rodriguez picked out Pablo Armero in the area but the defender blazed wide of the mark from 12-yards out. It proved to be a night to forget for Firmino, who managed to head wide of the mark from eight-yards out in the final 10 minutes, after getting on the end of Douglas Costa's cross. José Pekerman's side managed to see out the remain stages to secure a a crucial three points. However, the clash ended of a sour note, as Brazil captain Neymar was shown a straight red for kicking out at Armero after the final whistle, while Carlos Bacca received his marching orders for lashing out Neymar. Neymar will now miss Brazil's final group game against Venezuela on Sunday night.
