Fine strike from Neymar papers over the cracks for Brazil.
SEE MORE:
Brazil vs. Colombia team line-ups confirmed.
Jermain Defoe could be available on a free transfer.
Friday in Pictures.
Barcelona star Neymar looks to have settled a feisty friendly between Brazil and Colombia in Miami with a fine late free-kick, curling home from the edge of the box after a harsh handball award against a Colombian defender.
In Dunga’s first match back as Selecao manager, however, Brazil have once again lacked creativity, relying on Neymar’s quality from dead ball situations to create changes, with Diego Tardelli following in the footsteps of Fred by struggling as a lone striker.
The match has been particularly notable for its aggression, with Colombia picking up numerous yellow cards, including two for Juan Cuadrado who was sent off after the break for a second bookable offence – a decision protested vociferously by the Colombians, something that was a theme of the match.
The question is whether the lack of creativity on show by Brazil, resulting in this fine Neymar free kick being the only goal separating the two sides despite Brazil’s man advantage, is a result of playing against stifling and physical opposition or is it indicative of the fact that their malaise under Scolari may be set to continue under Dunga?