FORTALEZA, Brazil — Brazil striker Neymar and Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez have led their teams to the World Cup quarterfinals, dominating the attention and scoring.
The 22-year-old soccer stars will go head to head when Brazil plays Colombia on Friday, when only one will get the chance to continue his run at the tournament.
Wearing the No. 10 jerseys, both have lived up to expectations so far, enough to be included in discussions about the tournament’s best players along with established stars such as Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben.
Neymar has been decisive for Brazil, scoring four goals in four matches. Rod- riguez has been crucial for Colombia with his tournament-leading five goals and creativity in attack.
“I already knew that James was a great player,” Neymar said. “And now he has been showing his talent at the World Cup.”
Rodriguez has been one of the tournament’s sensations and has helped Colombia get over the absence of star striker Radamel Falcao, who missed the tournament because of a knee injury.
It didn’t take long for Rodriguez to become the focal point of a Colombia team that won all of its four matches seemingly without any real difficulty.
“It’s not easy to achieve what I’ve done, but my view is that when you have a dream and you really pursue it and picture things like this happening, then it can become a reality,” Rod- riguez told FIFA.com.
The Monaco player scored in each match, including two against Uruguay in the second round. One of the goals against Uruguay is already considered one of the best of the tournament so far. He chested the ball and quickly turned to fire a powerful shot over the goalkeeper from the top of the penalty area.
Rodriguez had already scored a stunning goal against Japan in the group stage, flicking the ball over the goalkeeper after getting past a defender with a nifty move inside the box.
“James is outstanding despite also being young,” Neymar said. “He has been showing that he is a great player and needs to be congratulated for the tournament that he has been having. But I hope his run ends now, and that Brazil advances.”
Quarterfinals
Friday’s games
France vs. Germany, 10 a.m.
Brazil vs. Colombia, 2 p.m.
Saturday’s games
Argentina vs. Belg., 10 a.m.
Netherlnds vs. C. Rica, 2 p.m.
