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We Need To Talk About The GIANT Bug That Attacked James Rodriguez (PHOTOS)

LOOK: World Cup Star Attacked By GIANT Bug
By 

Sports Editor, The Huffington Post

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Playing against the host nation at the 2014 World Cup doesn't mean just contending with Brazil's star-studded lineup in front of a vocal partisan crowd. It also means, apparently, fending off Brazil's winged insects.

Colombia's James Rodriguez had one of those airborne inhabitants of Brazil alight on his right arm just moments after he scored a goal against Brazil in a quarterfinal clash at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza on Friday. With Brazil leading 2-0 deep into the second half, Rodriguez converted a penalty to give his team a chance to force extra time. As he went to pick up the ball after the goal, a large green bug latched on to him.


It was unclear if Rodriguez even noticed the hitchhiker but many people watching the match did. Some called it a grasshopper. Others called it a locust. Just about everyone found it absolutely terrifying.

Whether intimidated by the insect or simply held in check by Brazil's human players, Rodriguez did not score again. To the delight of all the inhabitants of Brazil, the home team held on for the 2-1 win and booked a place in the semifinals.

Before You Go

PHOTOS: Brazil vs. Colombia
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(01 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar grimaces in pain during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Bensch, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Brazil's defender David Luiz celebrates scoring during the quarter-final football match between Brazil and Colombia at the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 4, 2014. AFP PHOTO / VANDERLEI ALMEIDA (Photo credit should read VANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:VANDERLEI ALMEIDA via Getty Images)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(03 of51)
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Colombia's James Rodriguez reacts at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. Brazil won 2-1 to reach the semifinals. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(04 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar controls the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(05 of51)
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Brazil's Thiago Silva celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Brazil's forward Neymar (C) is stretchered off after being injured during the quarter-final football match between Brazil and Colombia at the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 4, 2014. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FABRICE COFFRINI via Getty Images)
Brazil v Colombia: Quarter Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(07 of51)
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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: James Rodriguez of Colombia celebrates scoring his team's first goal on a penalty kick during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Robert Cianflone via Getty Images)
Brazil v Colombia: Quarter Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(08 of51)
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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: Mario Yepes of Colombia scores a goal past Julio Cesar of Brazil but it is disallowed during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Jamie McDonald via Getty Images)
W49 v W50: Quarter Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(09 of51)
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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: David Luiz of Brazil celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Laurence Griffiths via Getty Images)
Brazil v Colombia: Quarter Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(10 of51)
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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: Neymar of Brazil lies on the field after a challenge as teammate Marcelo and James Rodriguez of Colombia look on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Robert Cianflone via Getty Images)
Brazil v Colombia: Quarter Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(11 of51)
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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: Carlos Bacca of Colombia controls the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Robert Cianflone via Getty Images)
Brazil v Colombia: Quarter Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(12 of51)
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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: Referee Carlos Velasco Carballo gestures as Pablo Armero and Mario Yepes react during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Robert Cianflone via Getty Images)
Brazil v Colombia: Quarter Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(13 of51)
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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: Goalkeeper Julio Cesar of Brazil celebrates during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Robert Cianflone via Getty Images)
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Colombia's James Rodriguez is consoled by his teammates and Brazil's Maicon after Brazil's 2-1 victory to advance to the semifinals during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014.(AP Photo/Andre Penner) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Brazil's Marcelo shakes hands with Colombia's Cristian Zapata after Brazil's 2-1 victory to advance to the semifinals during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014.(AP Photo/Andre Penner) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Brazil's David Luiz celebrates after Brazil's 2-1 victory to advance to the semifinals during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. Luiz scored his side's second and decisive goal. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(17 of51)
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Colombia's goalkeeper David Ospina (1) tries to head the ball as Brazil's David Luiz (4) defends in the last minutes of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. Brazil won2-1 to reach semifinals.(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Brazil's Neymar grimaces in pain during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Bensch, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Colombia scores a disallowed goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(20 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar is carried away on a stretcher during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Bensch, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(21 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar is fouled by Colombia's Juan Zuniga during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(22 of51)
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Brazil players wave to their supporters after their 2-1 victory over Colombia to advance to the semifinals during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014.(AP Photo/Andre Penner) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(23 of51)
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Colombia's Juan Cuadrado, center, takes on the Brazil defense during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(24 of51)
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Colombia's Mario Yepes is consoled by his teammate Carlos Valdes after Brazil's 2-1 victory to advance to the semifinals during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014.(AP Photo/Andre Penner) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(25 of51)
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Colombia's James Rodriguez, left, is consoled by Brazil's David Luiz as they leave the pitch after the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. Brazil won 2-1. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Bensch, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(26 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar holds his back after being fouled during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(27 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar grimaces after being fouled during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(28 of51)
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Colombia's James Rodriguez, gestures to Brazil's Maicon during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(29 of51)
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Brazil players celebrate at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. Brazil won the match 2-1. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(30 of51)
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Colombia's Adrian Ramos stands on the pitch after Brazil's 2-1 victory to advance to the semifinals during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(31 of51)
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Colombia's James Rodriguez reacts at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. Brazil won the match 2-1. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(32 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar is carried from the pitch after getting injured during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil v Colombia: Quarter Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(33 of51)
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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: Mario Yepes of Colombia scores a goal past Julio Cesar of Brazil but it is disallowed during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) (credit:Michael Steele via Getty Images)
Brazil v Colombia: Quarter Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(34 of51)
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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: Mario Yepes of Colombia scores a goal past Julio Cesar of Brazil but it is disallowed during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Jamie McDonald via Getty Images)
Brazil v Colombia: Quarter Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(35 of51)
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FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JULY 04: Adrian Ramos, Mario Yepes and Cristian Zapata of Colombia compete for the ball against Thiago Silva, Maicon and David Luiz of Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Brazil and Colombia at Castelao on July 4, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Jamie McDonald via Getty Images)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(36 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar is carried away after getting injured during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Bensch, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(37 of51)
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Colombia's James Rodriguez after scoring his side's first goal on a penalty kick during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(38 of51)
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Colombia's Carlos Bacca, left, heads the ball while Brazil's goalkeeper Julio Cesar, right, and Center Brazil's Fred look on during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014.(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(39 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar attacks against Colombia's Mario Yepes during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(40 of51)
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Brazil's Marcelo checks on the condition of Neymar after he was fouled during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(41 of51)
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Colombia's James Rodriguez carries the ball after scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(42 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar (10) looks over as Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates scoring his side's first goal on a penalty kick during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(43 of51)
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Brazil's goalkeeper Julio Cesar fouls Colombia's Carlos Bacca to give away a penalty, during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Bensch, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Fans react as Brazil's forward Neymar is carried off the pitch on a stretcher after being injured during the quarter-final football match between Brazil and Colombia at the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 4, 2014. AFP PHOTO / POOL / FABRIZIO BENSCH (Photo credit should read FABRIZIO BENSCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FABRIZIO BENSCH via Getty Images)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(45 of51)
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Colombia's goalkeeper David Ospina, left, catches a ball as Brazil's Neymar, second from right, and Fred, right, approach the goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(46 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar reacts after missing a chance during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(47 of51)
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Brazil's Fred, left, is challenged by Colombia's Carlos Sanchez Moreno during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(48 of51)
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Brazil's Thiago Silva celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Bensch, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(49 of51)
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Brazil's Thiago Silva celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Bensch, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brazil Soccer WCup Brazil Colombia(50 of51)
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Brazil's Neymar rouses the crowd during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Brazil's players celebrate at the end of the quarter-final football match between Brazil and Colombia at the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 4, 2014. AFP PHOTO / POOL / FABRIZIO BENSCH (Photo credit should read FABRIZIO BENSCH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FABRIZIO BENSCH via Getty Images)
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