Samba style missing but bullish Brazil march on

WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINAL:

That was pretty much what this was as well, with foul after foul spoiling promising play that saw Thiago Silva and David Luiz net for the hosts to end the Colombian dream. Samba football this certainly wasn’t but still they progress, despite conceding a late penalty converted by the excellent James Rodriguez.

Within seven minutes the fans who had sung the Brazilian national anthem so passionately had an opening goal to celebrate.