The Seleção's captain and talisman had already received a yellow card for a deliberate handball to rule him out of their final Group C encounter against Venezuela on Sunday (June 21) before appearing to aim a headbutt at the game’s only goalscorer, Jeison Murillo. 

The incident sparked a melee between the two teams, which led to Colombia substitute Carlos Bacca also being sent off for a retaliatory shove at the Estadio Monumental in Santiago.

Defender Murillo’s match-winning goal came in the 36th minute when he latched onto Juan Cuadrado’s free-kick from the right and swept home a low shot into the bottom corner past Brazil goalkeeper Jefferson.

Cuadrado came close to doubling Colombia’s lead in the 52nd minute with an excellent run and curling shot which went just wide.

Six minutes later, Brazil’s Roberto Firmino had a moment to forget as he failed to capitalise on a mistake from Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina to blaze over the crossbar with the goal gaping.

Neymar also had two good chances to score, but headed straight at Ospina just before the break and dragged a shot wide when clean through on goal two minutes after the restart.

James Rodríguez came close to putting the game beyond doubt in the 90th minute but his driven shot flashed across goal and narrowly wide of Jefferson’s post.

Defeat for Brazil brought an end to manger Dunga’s 11-match winning run and leaves them level with Colombia and Venezuela at the top of Group C with three points each.

Tomorrow’s action is due to see Peru face Venezuela.


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