Brazil's Neymar Celebrates Scoring His Second Goal Against Cameroon During Their 2014 World Cup Group A Soccer Match at the Brasilia National Stadium in Brasilia
Brazil's Neymar celebrates scoring his second goal against Cameroon during their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia, June 23, 2014. REUTERS

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr., pulled off a perfect free kick in the concluding stages of a friendly game against Colombia. His goal proved to be the deciding factor in an evenly contested game at New Life Stadium in Florida. Attendance at the ground numbered 73,429, which has been the largest ever to watch a soccer match in the state. Two of the most popular teams from South Florida were greeted warmly at the Stadium. This was their second meeting in the space of three months. In their previous encounter, these teams met at the World Cup Quarter Final remembered for the infamous injury of incurred by the star striker Neymar.

Neymar avenged his absence from the earlier match with a perfect free kick just outside the penalty area in the 83rd minute of the game. Colombian defenders tightly marked Neymar, which resulted in free kicks and frequent penalties. Neymar's return from the injury seemed to have infused the Brazilian ranks with renewed energy as their defense looked more stable. In addition, the Brazilians consistently stayed in their posts in the field. Brazil's effort was ruled out for offside in the 25th minute of the game when Diego Tardeeli pinned one in the back of the net.

Colombia's Juan Cuadrado, who added attacking impetus in the first half, received a second yellow at the start of the second half. This resulted in Colombia playing without Cuadrado in the later stages of the game. Radamel Falcao was introduced later in the match. However, the player's performance seemed rusty as he is still recovering from a knee ligament injury that forced him out of the World Cup. At the last minute of the game, Falcao was unable to convert a header.

Camilo Zuniga, who was responsible for Neymar's injury two months ago, was given the responsibility of captaining the Colombian team. It was a fitting result as Neymar's free kick decided the fate of both teams that day. No animosity was seen between Zuniga and Neymar despite the aggression exerted by the former against the latter during the match.