Captain Neymar is Brazil's match-winner
© Getty Images
Neymar marked his first game as Brazil captain by scoring the only goal as A Seleção saw off ten-man Colombia 1-0 in Miami. The 22-year-old was wearing the armband in the absence of Thiago Silva and scored in the 83rd minute to hand the Selecao victory in the first match of Dunga's second spell in charge.
The manager has not made it clear whether the appointment of Neymar will be permanent but he certainly did his chances no harm in this repeat of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final. Friday's victory was the first step as Brazil look to get over the disappointment of a home tournament which saw them hammered 7-1 by eventual winners Germany in the semi-finals.
After a slow start, Diego Tardelli thought he had put Brazil ahead when he latched onto a loose ball in the box but the linesman's flag was raised for offside. Neymar then set up Oscar but the Chelsea man failed to beat David Ospina when one on one.
Colombia were looking short of ideas and Juan Cuadrado, Pablo Armero and Leao Ramirez all tried their luck from distance but Jefferson was equal to their efforts. Cuadrado then saw red in the 49th minute as he brought down Neymar and was handed a second booking.
Brazil nearly took the lead as David Luiz executed a trademark free-kick but Ospina saved and Fernandinho was unable to convert the rebound. New Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao came on for the last 13 minutes for Colombia but he could not make an impact and Neymar's stunning free-kick with seven minutes remaining settled the contest.