Hosts beat Colombia, set up Germany semis

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David Luiz celebrates his stunning goal for Brazil.

Brazil sent their South American neighbour back to Colombia as two center-backs Tiago Silva and David Luiz scored in each half despite James Rodriguez converted a late penalty at World Cup quarterfinals on Friday.

In the 7th minute, the Brazilian captain give his team a comfortable lead in the first half as he bundles the ball to the back of Colombia's net after Neymar whipped a left side corner kick into the middle of the box.

The host team however, will lose their captain in the upcoming semifinals against Germany, who was booked in the second half with a silly foul.

David Luiz gifted Brazil 2-0 lead as he hit a 35-yard free-kick into the back of the net in the 69th minute. James Rodriguez converted a penalty kick in the 80th minute, but it was too late for the Colombians.

Brazil's early lead sent the Estadio Castelao into a frenzy atmosphere by more than 60,000 fans and the home team kept the pressure on their opponents.

Colombia were quickly back into the game as Guarin and Cuadrado saw their efforts were narrowly missed. However, the Brazilian captain saved Brazil again in the 22rd minute by making a crucial block from Cuadrado after James Rodriguez created a 4 on 2 chances for Colombia.

Brazil missed the final chance to increase their lead in first half as Neymar curled his effort wide of Ospina's left-hand post.

The two teams went back to the pitch more physically as both committed 10 fouls in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Colombia were still seeking their way to penetrate into the host team's heart. Guarin saw his long-range shot off the bar before Rodriguez touched on the edge of the penalty area.

The current top scorer were making constant threat to the host team. In the 64th minute, Tiago Silva went into the book for stopping Ospina from kicking the ball out of his hands.

In the 67th minute, Mario Yepes had the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside by the referee.

The Colombian was upset again only two minutes later. Rodriguez took down Marcelo 35 yards out from goal and the Paris Saint-Germain defender hit a stunning effort flying past Ospina.

However, the 2-0 lead did not give Brazil a comfortable time. Rodriguez finally scored his 6th goal in the tournament and made the scoreline 2-1 as he sent Julio Cesar wrong way, who took down Colombia substitute Bacca inside the box.

In the 84th minute, Neymar went down under Zuniga' s challenge. The Brazil' s top scorer looked in pain and was carried off on a stretcher. There is a concern in the stadium that the host team may lose their two key players in the next clash with Germany.

The Colombian kept sparing every drop of sweat and pushed again and again during the final ten minutes, but only to see their efforts concluded in the Brazilians' cheers and maybe most touching of the day--Rodriguez' s tears rounding by David Luiz's arms.

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