#WorldCupUSA - Colombia and Brazil fans in Miami, FL

The closest American city geographically to South America, Miami has extensive financial and cultural ties to South America. It's an amazing place to watch any soccer match, and it was absolutely electric during the World Cup Quarterfinal match between Colombia and Brazil.

According to the 2000 US Census, 170,000 Colombians live in the Miami metropolitan area and a sizable number of Brazilians (estimates range from 20,000 - 200,000).

Brickell, an urban neighborhood in Miami, has a large community of wealthy Colombians who work in the financial industry in Miami.

Almost every bar and cafe in Brickell was turned to the match and fans climbed on whatever they could...

...to watch the game.

Although there was a sizeable Brazilian contingent...

...most fans were Colombian.

And they fiercely wore their pride for the national team, which had advanced to the World Cup Quarterfinals for the first time ever.

  Brazil scored two goals in the match, one in the first half and one in the second, which led many Colombian fans to despair, as it looked their dreams of advancing were slipping away.

A penalty kick helped bring the team within striking distance with 15 minutes left.

 But when the final whistle blew, there was little the Colombians could do but console each other in their grief.

As the Brazilian fans celebrated moving on to the semi-finals...

...the Colombians had plenty to still cheer for.

They partied in the streets after the match.

And reveled in the memories of a successful World Cup campaign.