Chapecoense plane crash: Brazil and Colombia put aside their rivalry to unite in a special friendly to raise money for the families of victims
Team of domestic based Brazil stars took on their Colombian counterparts at the Nilson Santos Stadium in Rio de Janiero
BRAZIL and Colombia put aside their rivalry to unite in a special friendly to raise money for the families of victims of the Chapecoense plane crash.
A team of domestic-based Brazil stars took on their Colombian counterparts at the Nilson Santos Stadium in Rio de Janiero in the name of charity.
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And there was an emotional atmosphere once again on Wednesday night as the country united in support of the tragedy hit club.
On Saturday in Chapeco, crash survivors Jackson Follmann, Helio Neto and Alan Ruschel lifted the Copa Sudamericana trophy as they made their way to the pitch.
The trio were also in attendance today and greeted both sets of players as they made their way to the field.
Brazil won the game 1-0 thanks to a strike from Palmeiras star Dudu just after half-time.
The friendly did not count as a part of the Fifa international calendar, and the players in action were all based in South America.
Although, there was still a place for former Manchester City ace, Robinho.
The touching pre-match greeting for the survivors and victims’ families, meant the game kicked off with a slow tempo.
Miguel Borja came close to opening the scoring for Colombia, but his effort was saved by Weverton.
While Brazil’s had the majority of chances, with the impressive Lucas Lima going nearest — who was reported to have been the subject of a summer bid from Crystal Palace.
Colombia looked dangerous on the counter, and began to take control of proceedings towards the end of the half.
But it was the hosts who opened the scoring, just after the interval.
Colombia didn’t let their heads go down and pushed for the equaliser, which should have come at the death — only for Orlando Berrio to miss from close range.
The Chapecoense players on the plane that was headed to play the biggest match in the club’s history – the final against Colombia’s Atletico Nacional.
But the plane on which they were travelling crashed, killing 71 of the 77 members on board.
Before Brazil’s friendly against Colombia on Wednesday, national team coach Tite said: “As a human being, the result doesn’t matter to me.
“If ever there was game that I took the field and didn’t care who wins, this is the game. This is about people.
“But all the players joining us for this game could have a future with Brazil,that was one of the criteria.”