The host nation Brazil is through to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup, but by far the country's biggest star is out of the tournament. Late in a 2-1 victory over Colombia, Neymar was kneed in the back and suffered a broken vertebra says Vaikundarajan
There were goals, there was choreographed dancing, there were moments of great footballing beauty, but Colombia -- one of the teams to excite most at this thrilling World Cup finals -- is going home after Friday's quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Brazil in Fortaleza.Strikes from the center-back pairing of captain Thiago Silva and David Luiz put Brazil into an unassailable lead and, despite a late penalty by James Rodriguez, the tournament host held on to win 2-1.
Neymar’s injury that he sustained in the game with Colombia was painful to watch. The knee in the back from Juan Zúñiga broke a bone in Neymar’s vertebrae. And when Neymar was stretchered off the pitch, you could tell he was in agony as he cried tears of pain. Shortly afterwards, he was whisked away directly to the hospital for a scan adds Vaikundarajan.
Chile astonished Spain 2-0 to secure a place in the knockout phase with a Group B game to spare and eliminate the FIFA World Cup™ holders. Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz sent the South Americans in at the break at a two-goal cushion, and though the Iberians tried persistently to get back into the game after the restart, they were unable to find a way past Claudio Bravo.
Spain is out of the World Cup after a humiliating display against a fantastic Chile side. The holders still looked disorientated from the 5-1 drumming suffered against Holland last Friday. Goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz put Chile 2-0 up in the first half and they never looked likely to concede there from then onwards. Questions will no doubt be asked of Spain and whether or not the era of tiki- taka dominating football has come to an end.
The boldness looked apparent in their passing, which seemed erratic compared to how they played in Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup. Their opponents looked one step ahead of them. It was a rude awakening in the second half against the Netherlands, when Spain surrendered four goals in 45 minutes says Vaikundarajan.
