Brazil came up with an improved show to outclass Colombia 2-1 to seal their berth in the world cup semi finals for the first time since 2002 when they last won the world cup. Thiago Silva and David Luiz hit the back of the net for the hosts while James Rodriguez scored from the spot for the Colombians as a consolation.
Brazil made the perfect start on night as captain Thiago Silva put his team in 
the lead when he bundled in from a corner kick when he was left unmarked by the Colombian defense. With just 7 minutes passed on the clock, Colombia had the time to stage a comeback. But it was Brazil who went forward and tried to put the score behind any doubt. However both teams failed to score as the score remained 1-0 in favour of the hosts at the end of the first 45 minutes.
Brazil doubled their lead in the 69th minute when David Luiz curled in a stunning finish from a free-kick. And it seemed that Brazil will be home without much of a trouble. But the Colombians had something in their mind as they pressed forward. They got their rewards when the referee awarded a penalty after Julio Cesar had made a nasty challenge on Bacca. James Rodriguez made no mistake from the spot and Colombia was back in it strongly although not much time, in fact 10 minutes plus few added minutes, left on the clock. Julio Cesar had a great escape as the referee chose to warn him with a yellow card for that challenge while on any other day it could have easily been red. However amidst all these late drama Brazil managed to cling on to the lead and make it to the semi-finals.
It will probably be the first big challenge for the hosts in this world cup when they will be up against the most consistent team in world cup history. The defense has remained as a matter of concern for the Brazilians. To add to that woe comes the suspension of Thiago Silva who got his second yellow 
card in two consecutive matches and will have to sit on the bench for the semi. Added to that is the injury of Neymar who is the most crucial player of this Brazilian team. Neymar was taken to the hospital for a fractured vertebra when one of the Colombian defenders made a strong challenge on him. With all these shortcomings Brazil will have to face Germany who has played decent football till date except that one match against Algeria where they had a lackluster performance. It will be a big ask for the home team but they also have their fortune on their side for the referees have been a bit too favouring them since the beginning of the world cup. But you never know. The tables may turn in the semis. For that we have to wait till Tuesday when the greatest performers of world football to lock horns for a place in the finals.
