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Brazil national football team
Copa America | Group Stage
Jun 18, 2015 at 1am UK
 
Colombia national football team

0-1


Neymar (96')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Murillo (36')
Bacca (96')

Live Commentary: Brazil 0-1 Colombia - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Copa America clash between Brazil and Colombia in Group C.
2

Brazil succumbed to a surprising 1-0 loss to Colombia in Group C of the Copa America in Santiago.

Jeison Murillo's first-half strike proved to be the difference between the sides in an absorbing contest, full of suspense.

Both teams now sit level on three points in the group, and will have to win their final group games to stand a chance of progressing to the knock-out stages.

Relive how Sports Mole covered the match below.


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Hello, good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the most highly-anticipated group game of this year's Copa America: Brazil vs. Colombia.

Yep, that's right folks. The likes of Neymar, Falcao, Rodriguez, Willian and Cuadrado are all on show in Santiago tonight!

To make it even more spicy, there is more riding on tonight's game than previously imagined. Both teams were expected to stroll through to the quarter-finals, but Colombia suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Venezuela last time out. That makes this a must-win game tonight!

Brazil also struggled in their opener against Peru, as they conceded after just two minutes. They eventually prevailed to win 2-1, but they are hardly in top form themselves.

TEAM NEWS: There are some interesting lines coming out of Santiago, and the main one is that Brazil's David Luiz is on the bench! Thiago Silva and Miranda start at centre-back. Carlos Bacca drops out for Colombia, and is replaced by Teofilo Gutierrez.

BRAZIL: Jefferson, Dani Alves, Miranda, Thiago Silva, Filipe Luis, Willian, Fernandinho, Elias, Fred, Firmino, Neymar.

COLOMBIA: Ospina, Zapata, Armero, Murillo, Zuniga, Sanchez, Valencia, Cuadrado, Rodriguez, Gutierrez, Falcao.

After his performance against Venezuela, Falcao can consider himself lucky to keep his place ahead of Jackson Martinez. The Monaco forward seems to have carried his form over from Manchester United into this tournament.

However, he wasn't the only star who failed against Venezuela, and Jose Pekerman will demand better performances from both James Rodriguez and Cuadrado.

Defeat is simply not an option for Colombia tonight as it would all-but knock them out and prolong their recent Copa America misery.

The good news for us is that the last time these two sides met they produced an exhilarating game in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last year. Brazil won 2-0 that day, and have since won a friendly 1-0.

PREDICTION: This one really is too close to call. Brazil are the slight favourites, but Colombia need the result more and their players will be gunning for revenge from a year ago. I'm going for plenty of attacking football and a 1-1 draw.

The players are in the tunnel, and we're just over five minutes from kickoff.

An electric atmosphere meets the players as they stroll out on to the pristine turf. We're ready for the national anthems!

The formalities are done, which means it's time to play football!

KICKOFF! Finally, Brazil get us underway!

Brazil look composed early on as they knock the ball around at the back. A good pass forward from Filipe Luis finds Neymar down the left, but Colombia snuff out the danger.

SHOT! It's a positive start from Colombia as well as James Rodriguez forces the first corner of the match with a shot which deflected well wide. The corner comes to nothing, but that's encouraging from Pekerman's men.

The game may only be five minutes old, but Rodriguez looks in the mood tonight! He beautifully drifts passed Dani Alves as if he wasn't there down the left, but his cross is fractionally over hit.

Colombia have a chance to create something here as Cuadrado wins a free kick down the right...

...It's an outstanding delivery from the right winger, but Brazil manage to half-clear it.

SHOT! Finally, Brazil get the chance to go forward and almost create something as Willian scampers down the right. His low cross is slightly behind Neymar though, before it falls to Luis 25 yards out. However, his shot is tame and Ospina has not issues dealing with it.

Colombia have controlled the ball so far, and are making Brazil play on the counter-attack. It's gripping to watch.

SHOT! Colombia almost catch Brazil on the counter attack, but Falcao makes a complete mess of the finish! A long ball forward is chased by Gutierrez, and he wins it in the air. His back header sits up perfectly for Falcao, but his first-time right-foot volley spoons well wide.

SHOT! Some more excellent wing plays earns Colombia a corner, and Brazil struggle to deal with Rodriguez's ball. It sits up nicely for Armero on the edge of the box, but he skews his effort horribly wide.

YELLOW CARD! Enrique Osses hands out his first yellow of the match, but it's definitely a case of mistaken idenity! Alves is taken down by Gutierrez, but the ref decides to book Armero instead.

YELLOW CARD! In a rare occurrence, the referee has seen his mistake and rectifies it by booking the right man. Armero's is rescinded.

SHOT! It's been a good game so far, but the finishing has left a lot to be desired. Alves becomes the latest player to miss the target by a long way, with an effort which flies way, way over the bar from long range.

It's end-to-end stuff at the moment, but neither side's attack can put something meaningful together.

Colombia come so close to getting through Brazil's defence, but Cuadrado's through ball is intercepted before it can reach Falcao. They've certainly been the better team so far.

Having said that, Neymar and Firmino almost link up to devastating effect! They attempt a neat one-two on the edge of the box, but Firmino's back-heel doesn't get get through.

CLOSE! Finally, we go close to a goal as Colombia's Carlos Sanchez lets fly from 25 yards. It takes a defection but drops inches past the right-hand post. Jefferson looked to have it covered though.

SAVE! More pressure from Colombia, as Rodriguez whips in a dangerous free kick from the right! He slightly over-hits it though, but Jefferson makes a good, solid punch.

YELLOW CARD! Gutierrez is down on the floor in a heap after a late foul from Fernandinho. The striker was too quick for him, and the Brazilian could only body-check him. He becomes the second man to receive a yellow.

GOAL! BRAZIL 0-1 COLOMBIA (MURILLO)

GOAL: It's been coming, and finally it arrives for Colombia! A series of free kicks finally pays dividends as one of Cuadrado's ball is not dealt with by Brazil. It drops perfectly for Jeison Murillo, who slots the ball into the back of the net from the middle of the box. Poor from Brazi, but Colombia won't care!

CLOSE! How close!! Colombia almost double their lead through Falcao, but his glancing header from Armero's delicate cross misses by inches. These are dangerous times for Brazil!

SHOT! Falcao wastes this chance, and gets a dirty look from Rodriguez. Colombia surge forward and have a three-on-three situation, but instead of playing in one of his teammates, Falcao goes for glory and hits is wildly over the bar.

YELLOW CARD! Late and deliberate by Firmino, as he takes Cuadrado out long after the ball disappears. He collects a booking.

CLOSE! What a goal that almost was!! Brilliant move by Colombia almost gives them a deserved second, and Cuadrado really should score! Rodriguez's low cross is back-heeled by Gutierrez into the path of the Chelsea winger, but he hits it wide!

SAVE! Brilliant from Ospina! Just brilliant! Brazil catch Colombia on the break, and Firmino crosses perfectly for Neymar, four yards out. However, his header is kept out by Ospina, and the striker has his head in his hands!

YELLOW CARD! The rebound off Ospina hit Neymar's hand, and he's punished for handball.

HALF TIME: BRAZIl 0-1 COLOMBIA

What a half! Brilliant so far from Colombia, who thoroughly deserve their lead and will justifiably be disappointed that it's not by two goals.

They've been energetic, creative and tactical and Brazil have no answer so far! The recalled Gutierrez has been outstanding, while Rodriguez and Cuadrado have run Brazil ragged.

This is the Colombia who we loved watching at the World Cup, not the one who were so disappointing against Venezuela. As for Brazil...they need to start getting a grip in midfield, because they're losing that battle badly.

Fear not though Brazil fans, Dunga has a lot of ammunition on the bench in the shape of Douglas Costa, Philippe Coutinho and Robinho (Yes, he's still playing!).

For the Manchester United fans who are following the game to check on reported target Roberto Firmino...go to bed! He's hardly been in the game, and his biggest contribution has been a deserved yellow card.

We're just minutes away from the second half...can Colombia hang on to cause a shock?

Brazil are back out on the pitch, and you feel that Dunga has said a few choice words and sent them out early.

SUBSTITUTE! Well that didn't take long at all...Brazil make a change and Coutinho is sent on in place of Fred.

KICKOFF! Colombia emerge late for the second half, but now they get us underway,

If Brazil are going to get back into this, then it looks likely that Neymar is going to have to play a big part. The Barcelona man almost squeezes a measured through ball to Firmino, but it's intercepted.

CHANCE! Big, big chance for a player with the quality of Neymar! The striker gets through on goal and although he's forced slightly wide, you'd back him to, at least, test Ospina. However, he screws his effort horribly wide!

CLOSE! There is the Juan Cuadrado Chelsea thought they were signing!! The big winger surges down the right channel, cuts inside with a flash of skill and powers a left-footed effort inches wide from 25 yards. Brilliant effort, and almost an outstanding goal!

Neymar wins a free kick 30 yards out...

He tries a cross instead of a shot, but he lofts it way too high and it's easy for Ospina to deal with.

Colombia look so dangerous in wide areas...Zuniga whips in a fine ball, which Silva has to turn away for a corner.

CHANCE! WHAT A MISS!!! This is going to feature on those awful Christmas blooper DVDs for decades...It all starts from Neymar, who charges down an Ospina clearance inside the box, it eventually breaks for Firmino 10 yards out and with most of an open goal to aim at....but he blazes it over the top!! Incredible.

Firmino must be hoping that Louis van Gaal and Manchester United aren't watching...

Despite that miss, Brazil have improved and are seeing much more of the ball.

There is movement on the Colombian bench...Victor Ibarbo is ready to come on...

Colombia have certainly dropped 10 yards back in this half, and are focusing more on counter-attacking football. Brazil are struggling to pick their way through, and Colombia are defending with ease.

SUBSTITUTE! The ineffective Willian is replaced by Douglas Costa for Brazil, while Falcao has been taken off for Colombia for Ibarbo.

It really hasn't been Neymar's night! The forward works himself into a good position outside the box and spots Costa free on the right, but his pass is badly over-hit and flies out for a goal kick.

CHANCE! Colombia could wrap up the game, but the loose ball in the box falls to the wrong man. Rodriguez's free kick eventually comes to Armero, but on his right-foot, and he whacks it wide from 10 yards.

SUBSTITUTE! The final change for Brazil sees Elias come off to be replaced by Diego Tardelli, while Carlos Bacca replaces Gutierrez for Colombia.

Excellent defending from Murillo, who slides in to make a vital tackle on Douglas Costa! The Shakhtar man thought he was through on goal.

CHANCE! It really hasn't been Firmino's night either, as he misses another great chance! Costa has made a good impact since he's come on and a low near-post cross picks out Firmino eight yards out. However, the Hoffenheim man mistimes it, and heads well wide.

SUBSTITUTE! Colombia make the sixth and final change of the match as Edwin Valencia is replaced by Alexander Mejia.

SHOT! Brazil look desperate now, but Colombia are giving them very little space or time on the ball. Coutinho is the latest man to shoot from range, but his curled effort is comfortably wide.

CHANCE It's only a half-chance, but at this stage of the game they all count. Neymar runs off the last defender and is found with a raking 50-yard pass, but he can't control it and it runs out of play.

CLOSE! Individual brilliance from Rodriguez, who is desperately unlucky not to make it 2-0! He surges down the left, before sending a low shot across goal, which misses by inches. Colombia are nearly there!

There are four minutes added on!

Thins are threatening to boil over between the players, which really doesn't suit Brazil!

LAST CHANCE! Brazil have a corner!

But it's awful and over-hit badly!

FULL TIME: BRAZIL 0-1 COLOMBIA

It's over! Colombia have pulled off a famous win! It hasn't ended well down there, with players arguing and squaring up to each other but Colombia won't care. They've ended a long wait to beat Brazil, and they will enjoy it.

Jeison Murillo scored the goal in the first half, in a result which moves Colombia on to three points, level with Brazil! If Venezuela win tonight, then one of these famous teams will exit the Copa America at the group stage.

Well, that's all from me! Thank you for joining me for that fascinating contest, which has thrown up another slight shock. Join us again tomorrow for some more thrilling Copa America action! Good night.

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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Argentina Argentina33009
Q Canada Canada31114
3 Chile Chile30212
4 Peru flag Peru30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Venezuela Venezuela33009
Q Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Jamaica Jamaica30030

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Uruguay flag Uruguay33009
Q Panama flag Panama32016
3 United States USA31023
4 Bolivia flag Bolivia30030

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Colombia Colombia32107
Q Brazil Brazil31205
3 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31114
4 Paraguay flag Paraguay30030


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