Luan The Game-changer As Neymar Keeps His Cool - Five Lessons From Brazil 2-0 Colombia

The Gremio forward's arrival has completely transformed the side while their captain refused to boil over in what was something of a grudge match for the Barcelona man

On Saturday night, Brazil picked up from where they left off at the Rio 2016 Olympics, seeing off Colombia 2-0 in Sao Paulo to book themselves a semi-final tie with Honduras.

After beginning the Rio 2016 Olympics with underwhelming goalless draws against South Africa and Iraq, Brazil returned to form last week with a 4-0 demolition of Denmark.

Captain Neymar fired the Selecao into an early lead with a wonderfully-struck free-kick before Luan sealed victory late in the second-half with sensational lob.

Below, Brasil Global Tour looks back at the major talking points from a night when the five-time world champions moved a step closer to their first Olympic gold medal.

Luan began the tournament on the periprhery. With the ‘Golden Trio’ of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Gabigol tipped to star at the games, the Gremio man was expected to play little more than a support role. However, after Brazil’s early struggles in the tournament, the great improvement to performances overall have arrived as a direct result of his inclusion and the switch to a 4-2-4. Substitute no longer, Luan could yet prove the game-changer in the story of Brazil’s first ever Olympic gold medal.

Neymar has a history with Colombia. And after opening the scoring in Sao Paulo, the captain threatened to boil over once again as he was targeted by the opposition. After finding himself on the receiving end of a number of strong challenges, he sought to level the playing field with a reckless foul that earned him a yellow card. He was at the centre of a number of flashpoints in the contest but managed to keep his cool and lead his side to a famous victory.

Central defensive duo Marquinhos and Rodrigo Caio had their work cut out as the last line of defence in an attacking formation that offered them little protection. Time and again they were left two vs two at the back but defended magnificently, making a number of strong challenges to stamp out counter-attacks that had threatened to see Colombia get back into the tie. Their understanding as a duo is growing stronger with every game and, with the full-backs pushing high, they look set to have to go it alone in order to safeguard an attacking Brazil side’s old medal hopes.

Renato Augusto was another singled out for criticism following Brazil’s stuttering start to the tournament, but he carried on from his improved performance against Denmark to put in another find midfield showing. Central midfield partner Walace is proving a fine foil to the former Corinthians man who is dropped deep to pick up the ball and dictate play with more success since the introduction of Luan has provided him with greater options. He is also growing into a leadership role, repeatedly taking his colleagues aside to offer instruction and support.

The Atletico Mineiro left-back starred against Denmark, creating two goals, but had less success on the flank on Saturday as a struggling Gabriel Jesus occupied the space on the left and offered less opportunity for interplay than Neymar had. Asked to push high, Douglas Santos may not have had his best defensive showing of the tournament but his problem-solving would have impressed Micale as, in the absence of a partner to work the ball down the wing, repeatedly picked smart passes inside that helped Renato Augusto dictate the pace in the middle.

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- Goal