In a quarter final match between Brazil and Colombia, 54 free kicks were granted by Carlos Velasco Carballo; however, this only produced four yellow cards. The first foul in the match did not come until the 64th minute. Before Juan Zuniga knew it, he committed a foul that left Neymar injured and rushed to the hospital. On the other hand, Junior Diaz got a second first-half foul for Costa Rica.
Fouls run the risk of having the culprit player get the punishment of free kick or penalty kick against the opposing team. Fouls are deemed as violation of the game's rules, therefore, such gravity of punishments are implemented against it. Fouls decrease the possibility of a team to make it to the next round of the tournament, much less the semi and quarter finals, and also the final round of the game. This is because such violation of the tournament's basics is not tolerated. Players need to be careful in avoiding committing fouls not only for their own sake, but also to the welfare of their entire team.
Fouls impede the game from going further smoothly as expected. Each round is halted when a foul is committed. Take the case of the first scenario-a foul against Neymar. The match between Colombia was stopped when Neymar was injured, and could barely stand up. Much of the focus of the organizers of the tournament and the spectators were in making sure that Neymar was going to be all right. Concerns were focused on getting the medical help Neymar needed as soon as possible.
