A fierce onslaught on the Brazilian goal in the last ten minutes failed to yield results as Brazil advanced with a 2-1 win.
Centre backs Thiago Silva and David Luiz gave Brazil a seemingly unassailable 2-0 lead, but a James Rodriguez penalty set up a tense final fifteen minutes, Brazil holding on to send the capacity crowd in Fortaleza home ecstatic.
The hosts came up against their South American counterparts with a place in the last four at stake, with expectations lying high on Brazil and poster boy Neymar.
The remarkably open game did not take long to heat up. Brazil won a corner in the 6th minute, from which Thiago Silva turned in Neymar’s cross with his knee, unmarked at the far post.
Brazil created several opportunities, keeping Columbia on the back foot as Neymar, Hulk, and Oscar combined flawlessly behind lone striker Fred.
Columbia’s first effort was a free kick from Inter midfielder Freddy Guarin, which he hit horribly over.
Cuadrado came closer minutes later, cutting in over Marcelo onto his left foot, then hitting a venomous strike which Julio Cesar did well to get down to punch to corner.
That was the extent of Cesar’s involvement in the half, as from then it was all Brazil, with David Ospina in the Columbian goal having to be on top form to keep his side in the game.
Twice Hulk weaved his way into the box, hitting those fierce shots he’s well known for; and twice David Ospina saved well. Off the second shot, Oscar hit a rebound from outside the box which Ospina duly saved.
Columbia had a great chance in the 22nd, after James Rodriguez went on a mazy run, setting up Cuadrado on the right; but the Fiorentina midfielder’s return pass was poor, Thiago Silva getting back to clear when Columbia had a three-on-two advantage.
The half was closed with a Neymar free kick, hit way over the bar.
