体坛英语新闻：Brazil's center-backs send Colombia back home

FORTALEZA, Brazil, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Brazil sent Colombia home as center-backs Tiago Silva and David Luiz scored in each half despite James Rodriguez converted a late penalty at a World Cup quarter-final here on Friday.

Silva's suspension and Neymar's injury, however, overshadowed Brazil as the hosts are to take on Germany in the semifinals four days later.

"People doubted if we can go to the round of 16, and we go on after the group stage. Now we have a difficult game ahead of us but we still have confidence," Brazil coach Scolari said.

In the seventh minute, captain Silva bundled the ball to the back of Colombia's net after Neymar whipped a left side corner kick into the middle of the box.

The host team, however, will lose their captain in their semifinal against Germany, as Silva received a second yellow card for trying to keep Colombia keeper David Ospina from putting the ball back in play.

David Luiz gifted Brazil 2-0 lead as he hit a 35-yard free-kick into the back of the net in the 69th minute. James Rodriguez converted a penalty kick in the 80th minute, but it was too late for the Colombians.

In the 84th minute, Neymar went down under Zuniga's challenge. The Brazil's top scorer looked in pain and was carried off on a stretcher. Camera caught a teary Neymar as the 22-year-old was carried off the pitch.

Scolari seemed hopeless when he was asked about Neymar's injury after the match.

"I don't think he will be able to play the next match," he said, "for the match against Germany it will be very difficult for him based on what the doctor said. It might be that he could play in the final, but the next match is on the 8th, I don't think he can make it."

"It is hard moment for us. We have the dream of winning the game, but Brazil is a tough opponent for us. Any mistake might get you out of the game. After the absence from world cup for a lot of time, we came to show we have some talented players with significant mind and spirit," said Pekerman, whose nine-match unbeaten run as a coach in the World Cup came to an end.