Neymar spoils Falcao's Colombia comeback
New Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao was eased back onto the international stage on Friday night as Colombia lost 1-0 to Brazil in Miami, USA.
The loan signing from AS Monaco came on for the final 13 minutes of the friendly, a period which proved unlucky for his compatriots when the Brazilian talisman Neymar punished them for handball by Milan defender Cristian Zapata just outside the area. The world-famous no.10 beat new Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina with a brilliant 83rd-minute free-kick into the top corner, a picture-book goal befitting his iconic status.
Neymar had much earlier been involved in the incident which reduced Colombia to 10 men, when he was fouled by Guillermo Cuadrado. The Fiorentina midfielder was sent off for this second bookable offence, just six minutes into the second half.
Neymar had much earlier been involved in the incident which reduced Colombia to 10 men, when he was fouled by Guillermo Cuadrado. The Fiorentina midfielder was sent off for this second bookable offence, just six minutes into the second half.
Falcao came on for the golden boy of Colombia's World Cup campaign, Real Madrid's summer signing James Rodriguez, and their fans will look forward to when the pair next play together - possibly in October when they face Antonio Valencia's Ecuador.
In the meantime, there were just flashes from Falcao to excite the Colombian faithful and any United supporters in the vociferous 73,249 crowd at Miami's Sun Life Stadium, the venue where the Reds beat Liverpool in last month's International Champions Cup final.
The no.9's best opportunity to score came in the 90th minute when Colombia surged forward in numbers and produced a cross, with Falcao's resulting header being deflected wide by ex-Manchester City full-back Maicon. The corner came to nothing and the Colombians' hopes of avenging their World Cup exit ebbed away in injury time.
The no.9's best opportunity to score came in the 90th minute when Colombia surged forward in numbers and produced a cross, with Falcao's resulting header being deflected wide by ex-Manchester City full-back Maicon. The corner came to nothing and the Colombians' hopes of avenging their World Cup exit ebbed away in injury time.