Neymar saves Brazil versus Colombia

Neymar scored in the 64th minute and then skied a penalty kick well over the crossbar in the 81st, leaving Brazil with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Colombia in an exhibition game Wednesday night.

The 20-year-old forward, who has emerged as Brazil's star as it prepares to host the 2014 World Cup, offset James Rodriguez's 44th-minute goal for Colombia by using his quick feet to get around a defender. But then, after Pablo Armero pulled down Daniel Alves in the penalty area, Neymar had an embarrassing miss.

He took several steps to his left, then slowed in his approach and sent his penalty kick a good 15 yards over the crossbar and into the stands. Neymar's tongue was hanging as he retreated to midfield.

No. 13 Brazil, ranked five spots behind Colombia, never took a lead against a team it hasn't lost to in 21 years. The Brazilians have 15 wins, two losses and eight draws against the Colombians overall.

Brazil was playing at MetLife Stadium for the third time since the 2010 World Cup - the Selecao has only had six games in Brazil during that span. But on a cool autumn night, with mass transit still limited following Superstorm Sandy, the match drew 38,624 and the top deck was completely empty. The crowd was well below the 77,223 for Brazil's August 2010 game against the United States and 81,994 for this June's match against Argentina.

Brazil had its chances early. Kaka, who returned to the national team last month for the first time since the 2010 World Cup, pulled an open shot wide in the 18th minute. Neymar's point-blank header off Daniel Alves' cross was stopped by goalkeeper David Ospina in the 24th, and Kaka's long-range shot clanked off the crossbar in the 32nd.

Brazil left back Leandro Castan, playing because Marcelo is sidelined for three months because of a broken foot, was under repeated attack in his second international appearance. Colombia broke through with an attack down his side.

James Rodriguez pushed ahead a pass to Cuadrado, whose right-footed shot beat goalkeeper Diego Alves to the far post for his third international goal.

Neymar nearly tied the score in the opening minute of the second half, but Ospina just managed to palm away his shot. Then in the 62nd, Kaka had a snazzy backheel pass to Neymar along the flank, and the young forward cut to the middle of the field before shooting directly as Orispina.

Neymar finally tied it when he faked Dorlan Pabon to create space and scored on an angled shot from 15 yards. Of Neymar's 17 international goals, three have been scored in the US, where he got a goal against the Americans in his debut.

NOTES: With rail service from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium still suspended, the stadium arranged for Coach USA to provide 20-30 buses. There were long lines for them at Port Authority Bus Terminal.