Neymar sees red as Colombia stun Brazil in Copa America
Superstar off for headbutting rival after 1-0 defeat
Brazil superstar Neymar was sent off as the five-time world champions crashed to a 1-0 Copa America defeat against Colombia.
In sensational scenes after the final whistle, Neymar was shown a red card after an ugly melee involving players of both sides in which he appeared to aim a headbutt at Colombia goalscorer Jeison Murillo.
Colombia striker Carlos Bacca was also shown red following the fracas at the end of a frenetic group C battle.
Neymar had already ensured he would miss Brazil’s final first round game against Venezuela on Sunday by collecting his second yellow card of the tournament for a deliberate handball in the first half.
Three teams – Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela – now have three points in group C.
Victory was sweet for Colombia, who were subjected to rough-house tactics from Brazil last year during the World Cup in a 2-1 quarter-final exit, a match scarred by a whopping 54 fouls.
A pulsating opening 45 minutes saw Colombia gradually get on top after a frantic start dominated by defence. A Sanchez shot deflected just wide of Brazilian defender Miranda just after the half-hour mark and then on 36 minutes the breakthrough came.
Juan Cuadrado’s teasing free-kick from the right flank dropped into the area and when Brazil failed to clear, Murillo was on hand to rifle in a low shot past Jefferson.
Chelsea star Cuadrado might have doubled Colombia’s lead on 43 minutes but wastefully shot wide after being teed up by Teo Gutierrez’s deft backheel.
Brazil went for broke in the second half, bringing on Liverpool attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho for Fred, and immediately looked more threatening as a result.
But they squandered a golden chance to equalise on 58 minutes when Bundesliga-based striker Roberto Firmino – reportedly a target for Liverpool – missed an open goal.
