Neymar Help Brazil Reach Olympics Semifinals

Neymar scored from a long free kick and Brazil reached the men’s soccer semifinals at the Olympics with a testy 2-0 win over Colombia on Saturday.

With the host nation under extreme pressure to deliver a first Olympic men’s gold in its most popular sport, Brazil’s biggest star came through with a free kick that found a way through the Colombia wall in the 12th minute.

“Neymar is experienced and he did well controlling the game,” said Luan, who scored Brazil’s late second goal. “But the whole team deserves credit for being able to keep it together and get the victory. Now we have to focus on the next two games to be able to reach our dream.”

Neymar had earned the free kick after a shove from Colombia’s Helibelton Palacios, and emotions then ran high between the South American rivals throughout the first half.

Tempers threatened to boil over before halftime when Neymar received a yellow card — and was perhaps lucky to escape a straight red — for pulling down Andres Roa from behind.

Colombia had multiple chances to equalize early in the second half, but Miguel Borja and Dorlan Pabon were denied in quick succession by fine saves from Brazil goalkeeper Weverton.

But minutes later Brazil had a major shout for a penalty when Luan’s shot from the top of the box struck defender Deivy Balanta in the arm, but Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir, who officiated a 2014 World Cup semi and the 2015 UEFA Champions League final, waved away Brazil’s pleas.

Goalkeeper Cristian Bonilla kept Colombia in the game with some good saves, rushing off his line to frustrate Brazil and stopping Rodrigo Caio at the post following a 66th-minute free kick.

But he could do nothing to reach Luan’s looping strike from 20 yards out that sent the crowd in Sao Paulo into celebrations.

Colombia, which defeated the United States in March to earn the final spot at the Olympics, could not find a way back and Brazil advanced to face Honduras in the semifinals on Wednesday.

“They really came playing hard, but we were able to overcome the pressure,” Luan said. “We were able to get the early goal and that helped us come away with a great victory.”